#3 Mackenzie Barnes
Class of 2016
Mackenzie was a four year starter for the Lady Falcons. If there was a picture placed in the dictionary for the word versatility, Mackenzie's picture would be the first one added. This 5"10 (closer to 5"11) inch dynamo, has led the Falcons to a 24-0 mark in league play her last two years at DHS. Team Captain since her Sophomore campaign, Kenzie has gotten better every year. She averaged 5.3 ppg, 1.0 apg, 3.7 rpg, 2.7 stls a game as a freshman playing on the Imari Brown led Falcons of 2012-2013.
Kenzie became the best player in the program as a sophomore, her stat line was impressive - 10.8ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 stls per game. Her Junior campaign saw her blossom as a scorer at 16.9 ppg all the while spreading out efficiency in all other areas. She averaged 6.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 4.4 stls and 1.6 blocks per game (Scotty Pippen eat your heart out). Kenzie led the Falcons to an undefeated 14-0 league campaign and should have been easily voted league MVP (we will not talk about the reasoning adults saw fit to rob this young lady of an award). This year Kenzie has been the ultimate team leader for a history making team that went 10-0 in league play. Kenzie led as the Falcons took their first historic steps of the post season by becoming the first boys or Girls team in program history to make it to a CIF championship game (CIF 4-AA final).
The Falcons would eventually make it all the way to the CIF STATE QUARTERFINALS as Kenzie teamed up with her cousin Ryley Thompson in the back court for the Falcons to provide the bulk of the offensive firepower. Kenzie was awarded Montview league's MVP award as a senior as well as being named to the All-CIF 4-AA division 1st team for her tremendous all-around play this year. Being the best player on the 1st DHS team to ever win a state playoff game in any sport is something that this all-timer can hold on to forever.
College:
Mackenzie signed to play college basketball for Cal State Los Angeles for the 2016-2017 college basketball season, where she will play for Cheryl Miller - the greatest women's basketball player of all time. Mackenzie has a great family to thank for helping her along the way. Congratulations to her wonderful parents Joseph and Theresa Barnes for doing such a great job with a fabulous young lady. Joe was an explosive/dynamic football player during his DHS career. An all CIF football player at DHS who went on to play defensive back at Fresno State University. Theresa was an All league basketball player at DHS and played college basketball at Fresno City College. So looking at her athletic bloodlines its no accident this young athlete has developed in the way that she has.
These highly involved parents have done a tremendous job with Kenzie as well with Kenzie's younger siblings Macey and Joseph. Mackenzie's college career has already seen her show flashes of what's to come as a college player, so far Kenzie has logged some important minutes for the Golden Eagles whose record is 0-2 at press time. But the Eagles have played all upper tier opponents which will get them ready for conference play to prep for the CCAA (NCAA) tournament at the end of the year.
Her Honors:
2012-2013: Honorable Mention All-Montview League
2013-2014: 2nd Team All-Montview League
2014-2015 : 1st Team All-Montview League
2015-2016: 1st Team All-Montview League
2015-2016: 1st Team ALL CIF DIV 4-AA
2015-2016: Montview League MVP
Class of 2016
Mackenzie was a four year starter for the Lady Falcons. If there was a picture placed in the dictionary for the word versatility, Mackenzie's picture would be the first one added. This 5"10 (closer to 5"11) inch dynamo, has led the Falcons to a 24-0 mark in league play her last two years at DHS. Team Captain since her Sophomore campaign, Kenzie has gotten better every year. She averaged 5.3 ppg, 1.0 apg, 3.7 rpg, 2.7 stls a game as a freshman playing on the Imari Brown led Falcons of 2012-2013.
Kenzie became the best player in the program as a sophomore, her stat line was impressive - 10.8ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.8 stls per game. Her Junior campaign saw her blossom as a scorer at 16.9 ppg all the while spreading out efficiency in all other areas. She averaged 6.3 rpg, 3.0 apg, 4.4 stls and 1.6 blocks per game (Scotty Pippen eat your heart out). Kenzie led the Falcons to an undefeated 14-0 league campaign and should have been easily voted league MVP (we will not talk about the reasoning adults saw fit to rob this young lady of an award). This year Kenzie has been the ultimate team leader for a history making team that went 10-0 in league play. Kenzie led as the Falcons took their first historic steps of the post season by becoming the first boys or Girls team in program history to make it to a CIF championship game (CIF 4-AA final).
The Falcons would eventually make it all the way to the CIF STATE QUARTERFINALS as Kenzie teamed up with her cousin Ryley Thompson in the back court for the Falcons to provide the bulk of the offensive firepower. Kenzie was awarded Montview league's MVP award as a senior as well as being named to the All-CIF 4-AA division 1st team for her tremendous all-around play this year. Being the best player on the 1st DHS team to ever win a state playoff game in any sport is something that this all-timer can hold on to forever.
College:
Mackenzie signed to play college basketball for Cal State Los Angeles for the 2016-2017 college basketball season, where she will play for Cheryl Miller - the greatest women's basketball player of all time. Mackenzie has a great family to thank for helping her along the way. Congratulations to her wonderful parents Joseph and Theresa Barnes for doing such a great job with a fabulous young lady. Joe was an explosive/dynamic football player during his DHS career. An all CIF football player at DHS who went on to play defensive back at Fresno State University. Theresa was an All league basketball player at DHS and played college basketball at Fresno City College. So looking at her athletic bloodlines its no accident this young athlete has developed in the way that she has.
These highly involved parents have done a tremendous job with Kenzie as well with Kenzie's younger siblings Macey and Joseph. Mackenzie's college career has already seen her show flashes of what's to come as a college player, so far Kenzie has logged some important minutes for the Golden Eagles whose record is 0-2 at press time. But the Eagles have played all upper tier opponents which will get them ready for conference play to prep for the CCAA (NCAA) tournament at the end of the year.
Her Honors:
2012-2013: Honorable Mention All-Montview League
2013-2014: 2nd Team All-Montview League
2014-2015 : 1st Team All-Montview League
2015-2016: 1st Team All-Montview League
2015-2016: 1st Team ALL CIF DIV 4-AA
2015-2016: Montview League MVP
Article from Kenzie's senior year:
Duarte girls basketball ready to take on area’s No. 1 ranking
Duarte High senior girls basketball player Mackenzie Barnes at the Duarte campus gym Nov. 24, 2015. (Photo by Leo Jarzomb/San Gabriel Valley Tribune)
Duarte girls basketball ready to take on area’s No. 1 ranking
Duarte High senior girls basketball player Mackenzie Barnes at the Duarte campus gym Nov. 24, 2015. (Photo by Leo Jarzomb/San Gabriel Valley Tribune)
By KEITH LAIR | [email protected] | San Gabriel Valley Tribune
PUBLISHED: November 25, 2015 at 2:10 p.m. | UPDATED: August 30, 2017 at 6:58 a.m.
The Duarte High School girls basketball program has been no stranger to success.
The Falcons have had four 20-plus winning seasons in the last four years and have been to the CIF Southern Section playoffs every year since 2010. They went to the CIF State tournament in 2010 and reached the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS divisional playoffs last year.
But the Falcons appear to have stepped up their game. They have hired Scott Wiard as head coach.
Scott helped his father, Richard, to two CIF State and five CIF-SS titles at Bishop Amat.
“They’ve had a pretty good run the last five years and we’re trying to build on that,” Scott Wiard said. “The kids are used to competing at a high level. We’re trying to build a CIF championship program and when we came from Amat we thought we can do it here.”
The Wiards, with Richard as an assistant coach, will find the cupboards are not bare. The Falcons have two of the best players in the west San Gabriel Valley, which is why they earned the preseason No. 1 position.
Six-foot-seven sophomore Patricia Morris is back, along with a top point guard and a top scorer.
Morris averaged 9.2 points and nine rebounds on a team that went 20-9 last year.
“From May until now she is so much better,” Wiard said. “She presents problems with her height. She is such a good athlete. She played tennis and has improved her footwork. She will be pretty special for us.”
And then there is senior Mackenzie Barnes, who led the Falcons in scoring last year playing point guard.“I think in girls basketball if you have a really good point guard and a big girl in the middle, you’ll be pretty decent,” Wiard said. “We’re pretty blessed because we are fortunate to have both.
“(Barnes) does the right things and gets in the right spots and she’s gotten a lot better.”
Then there’s junior Ryley Thompson, one of the top 3-point shooters in the valley. Seniors Karmeece Robinson and Sofia Calvo also return. Freshman Delanye Thompson, Ryley’s sister, is expected to see playing time off he bench.
2. COVINA
All eyes will be on sophomore Allison Ayala, who was fifth in the state in three-pointers made last year.
But teams will need to watch more than the Colts guard, who had 101 3-pointers. The Colts (19-9 last season) return every starter from last year, including Valle Vista League MVP and All-CIF selection Mariah Sierra, a junior, and point guard Diana Navarro. Hope Duenas returns at center.
Even with all of the returnees coach Nick Masi expects four freshman to make an immediate impact. Mariana Cruz is expected to start and Summer Montoya will be the first off the bench.
3. SOUTH HILLS
The Huskies lost a lot from a CIF-SS Division 3AA semifinal team that went to 23-7, including Tribune Player of the Year Brittany Wang and coach Tiffany Liang.
But South Hills returns seven seniors and three starters and have added coach Kevin Cormier, who led a successful girls program at La Salle.
Senior Alisa Books, junior Denise Wang, Brittany’s sister, and senior Bree Newton all return to the starting lineup.
“It was an easy transition because the whole thing is my style of running, so it wasn’t so hard,” Cormier said. “But they kind of were used to playing half court and not creating a whole lot of (defensive) pressure, to run the floor and to run fast like I’ve always done.”
Four sophomores are expected to fit into the mix, including Camille Dahmen and Alexis Lujan.
4. WEST COVINA
Nine seniors, four who started from last year’s 19-9 team, return.
Guards Nicole Valdiviez and Kelly Truong and inside players Monea Lozano and Kerrissa McDavis all return. Senior Sharmaine Hartfield, the first player of the bench last year, also returns.
West Covina will add junior Andrea Bustillos, a transfer from South Hills, in midseason. Katrina Ponce de Leon is up from the JV team.
The only question is at center.
“We’re not the same height as last year,” coach Stefanie Foster said.
5. DIAMOND BAR
There’s a lot to like about the Brahmas.
Junior guard Juliana Gamboa had a huge summer and is gathering recruiting interest. Junior Lauryn Del Campo, who was the leading scorer early last season, returns at full strength after tearing her knee last year. Destinee Garr and Kayla Rice will be four-year starters for the Brahmas (11-15 last year).
“It is one of the best teams at Diamond Bar in years,” coach Tony McCabe said. “We’re big, fast and experienced and we’ve been together.”
Rice and sophomore Jessica Barrera both grew two inches from last year and both are 6-2.
Serena Liang is a three-year player and Candace Black, a transfer from Diamond Ranch, will be eligible midseason.
“We have seven pretty solid,” McCabe said. “We’re deep, we’re balanced and we’re experienced.”
6. ROWLAND
The Raiders have a big three, Tianna Eaton and Faith and Farrah Castillo.
“They have hearts of champions,” coach Quentin Carr said. “But it is very hard to say how good we’re going to be.”
Eaton, a junior, can play any position. Faith Castillo, a sophomore, is back at point guard and Farrah Castillo, a guard, is expecting big things, Chloe Nakamoto, Rachel Capinia and Nicole Woo also return.
7. SAN DIMAS
The Saints return six seniors and are expecting big things.
“They talk, practice and look like seniors,” coach Gary Jackson said. “They’re picking up things even more, they’re comfortable and we can send more at them and they can digest more things.”
Senior Aissa Buenaventura returns at point guard and post player Deja Johns is a four-year starter. Senior Dymond Mitchell is back from a torn ACL and freshman Kyla Cormier gives the Saints (10-20 last year) three big players in the middle.
8. BONITA
Once a point guard, always a point guard does not apply at Bonita.
Coach Darren Baumunk is moving last year’s point guard, junior Alyssa Ono, to off guard and taking fellow returner, senior Taylor Riggs, and putting her at the point.
“It will be much better to the ball in the senior’s hands and we can let the junior create some things,” Baumunk said.
But it will be the inside play that is the key for the Bearcats (14-14 last year). Center Jenna Gonzales returns and will be joined by newcomers Briyanna Coleman, a junior, and Kasie Herring, a sophomore.
9. WALNUT
The Mustangs lost a lot, including eight seniors from a team that went 16-9 and reached the second round of the CIF-SS Division 2AA playoffs.
“We’re very young,” coach Lori Huckler said. “But we have some pretty good kids.”
Walnut returns only one senior, Amber Wong, who was the first player off the bench last year. Junior guards Chloe Hsu and Jenna Pitpit will make a big impact. So will 5-11 freshman Theresa Lin.
10. SOUTH EL MONTE
Kimberly Urbina returns for her senior season after averaging 23.2 points last year, which was ninth-best in the CIF-SS and 29th best in the state. The 5-6 guard did it in her first year varsity playing varsity and the Eagles went 21-7.
“She makes us go,” first-year coach Rene Herrera said. “We expect a lot of box-and-ones but I think with our offense is run, it’s freelance, everyone is an option and a threat.”
Robyn and Cheyanne Quintana and Jennifer Jimenez return; the Eagles have only eight players on the varsity team.
COLLEGE CAREER SET TO BEGIN FOR FALCON GREAT - CSULA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL RECRUIT 2016
Mackenzie Barnes sign's national letter of intent to play basketball at CSULA for the 2016-2017 season. Congrats to Kenzie and her family on a job well done.
Mackenzie Barnes sign's national letter of intent to play basketball at CSULA for the 2016-2017 season. Congrats to Kenzie and her family on a job well done.
CSULA Freshman Guard MacKenzie Barnes
CAL STATE LA results so far - things will get better for the Eagles, go support Mackenzie when you get a chance.
TWO FORMER FALCON STANDOUTS FACE OFF TONIGHT AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL - 12/16/2016
Cal State Los Angeles plays host to Cal State Dominguez Hills tonight at 5:30pm on the campus of Cal State L.A. The game tonight will pit former Falcon standout Imari Brown's CSUDH squad versus former Falcon standout Mackenzie Barnes CSULA squad. CSULA and Barnes prevailed 90-89 in the first meeting between the schools this year. Imari Brown finished the game with 29 points, 3 blks, and 3 steals. Mackenzie Barnes line read 5 points, 1 ast, and 2 steals. The next meeting between these teams will be in Carson at CSUDH on Jan. 28th, 2017. Good luck to both of these former Falcons stars and their teams the remainder of the year - Great job Mari and Kenzie!!!!
Cal State Los Angeles plays host to Cal State Dominguez Hills tonight at 5:30pm on the campus of Cal State L.A. The game tonight will pit former Falcon standout Imari Brown's CSUDH squad versus former Falcon standout Mackenzie Barnes CSULA squad. CSULA and Barnes prevailed 90-89 in the first meeting between the schools this year. Imari Brown finished the game with 29 points, 3 blks, and 3 steals. Mackenzie Barnes line read 5 points, 1 ast, and 2 steals. The next meeting between these teams will be in Carson at CSUDH on Jan. 28th, 2017. Good luck to both of these former Falcons stars and their teams the remainder of the year - Great job Mari and Kenzie!!!!
Imari #3 in red above - Mackenzie #4 in white above. Joining them is Huisha Bush, longtime Falcon PA Announcer (WNBA'S LA Sparks, NBA G-League Agua Dolce Clippers PA Announcer).
CAL STATE LA'S SEASON WINDING DOWN - MACKENZIE'S FRESHMAN SEASON HAS BEEN ONE OF SUCCESS
Mackenzie has had pretty good playing time for a freshman when you look at her season thus far. To be allowed to contribute from the start and get experience is invaluable when adjusting to college basketball for any freshman - Mackenzie was thrown into the mix right away to help her team to a 14-13 season thus far.
Mackenzie has had pretty good playing time for a freshman when you look at her season thus far. To be allowed to contribute from the start and get experience is invaluable when adjusting to college basketball for any freshman - Mackenzie was thrown into the mix right away to help her team to a 14-13 season thus far.
MACKENZIE BARNES #4 - SEE SEASON STATS TO DATE 2/20/2017
Mackenzie in her 2nd season at Cal State L.A. - playing under basketball legend Cheryl Miller (The Greatest Women's Player ever). Mackenzie is such a wonderful young woman, Duarte residents are so proud of her. Working hard on and off the court, she is majoring in Kinesiology at Cal State Los Angeles.
Kenzie's soph. campaign saw her suffer a hand injury - but despite the injury she shined on more than a few occasions for the Lady Eagle's. Great job Kenzie - we look forward to all conference honors coming the next few years.
- see some of her highlights in terms of stats during her Soph. season below...
- see some of her highlights in terms of stats during her Soph. season below...
Mackenzie Barnes entering her junior year at Cal State L.A. - Good luck this year Kenzie, Falcon Nation is watching.
Mackenzie gears up for senior season with the Golden Eagles of CSULA in 2019-2020
M. Barnes - pictured back row, far right - # 4
Kenzie's senior year bio at CSULA 2019-2020