INA, IL (Nov. 12, 2021) – The day Meg Barton has dreamed about since she was 9 years old has now become a reality.
The Rend Lake guard signed her letter of commitment Wednesday afternoon to play Division 1 basketball for the Bradley University Braves.
Barton finished her senior year at Carterville High School by helping the Lions to a 31-3 record overall and a third-place finish during the IHSA Class 2A state tournament. She was also named as a special mention to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Class 2A team.
Barton credits her achievements to her hard work and tenacious, don’t-quit attitude. She said she is also grateful for Lady Warriors Head Coach Dave Brown for giving her the opportunity to play college basketball.
“It’s straight grind and hustle,” Barton said. “Coach Dave is really the reason I’m here.”
“This is our ultimate goal,” Brown said. “We have a great team, but the big thing is to get them to their dream. And their dream is to play D1 basketball.”
Brown said in looking for talent, he looks for the best in local talent. Barton has proven to be a great asset for the Warriors, and he expects even greater things from her in the future.
“To see a local kid who has worked so hard and for her to rise to the occasion and go and do what she has dreamed about doing, that’s a big thing,” he said. “She is a closer and a clutch player who wins you games. Her athletic ability is off the charts.”
Barton was named the Great Rivers Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year last year and made the all-conference team as well as the All-Region XXIV team. She averaged 12.9 points and 1.5 steals per game during the 2020-21 season.
In 2021, Bradley University won its first Missouri Valley Conference tournament in its program’s 46-year history. The Braves also secured a first-round bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Brave Head Coach Andrea Gorski said in a previous statement: “Megan is a super-athletic guard that has one of the best midrange games I’ve seen in a while. Her energy on both ends of the floor will be an immediate addition to our guard play. She’s fearless on the court and is great for our competitive culture.”
Barton has been playing basketball since the fourth grade. After playing junior league, she went on to play for the St. Louis Eagles in AAU.
“My mom actually prepped me to be a cheerleader,” Barton said, laughing. “I’m a competitor. I love the atmosphere and the feeling of teamwork. I am out there to compete.”
Barton was joined at the signing with her mother Madlynn Walker and her brother Aiden Walker.
“This is a long-time coming,” Walker said. “She has been working so hard for this.”
Barton plans to study radiology at Bradley University. Her aspiration is to become the head radiologist for a hospital or medical group after completing her degree.
The Rend Lake Warriors are off to a stellar start this season with a three-game winning streak. In those victories, Barton has averaged 14 points, 9.7 rebounds and 4 assists per game.
Brown said this year’s Lady Warriors have the potential for a history-making season.
“We have a great team from top to bottom,” he said. “I really think this is going to be a special year for Rend Lake College. I hope everyone out there – administration, teachers, just the surrounding communities. These are special kids, and they should come to watch them play.”
