Rancho Christian’s Barefield wins 200th game

in 2021. He was named Man of the Year in his senior year. It is the highest honor bestowed on deserving scholar-athletes by Tennessee Tech Athletics. The criteria includes both athletic and academic accomplishments as well as additional areas such as community and campus involvement and public service activities.

Always give back

“Giving back to the community is very important to me because I wouldn’t be the person and baseball player I am today without different communities that helped mold me.

I am forever grateful and feel that it is my duty to give back and help the next generation,” Johns said.

“My parents and relatives have always been very involved in the community and they raised me and my brother Hayden to be very involved in the community as well.

I am thankful they instilled that in us because it is very important not to forget where you came from.”

The decision to write his autobiography began a few years ago when Johns began writing down some of his life experiences in a journal. A couple of his close friends recommended he write a book so during the past three years he has transitioned the journal notes into fleshed-out stories with more details culled from phone calls to friends, family and teammates to recount old memories and confirm all the facts were accurate.

Life’s setbacks

“There have been many setbacks in my life and doubters, and I believe they only made me tougher and stronger,” Johns said. “I was able to turn any negativity into energy and motivation to prove the doubters wrong. In addition, I have been blessed with a great support system of family and friends that encourage me so that I can achieve anything I set my mind to and work hard for. And my faith in God has helped me so much. In those (adverse) moments I definitely lean on Him to remind me of who I am instead of what other people tell me they think I am.”

He views his survival from a huge traffic accident several years ago to be a “true miracle from God.” After flipping his truck multiple times across the freeway, he walked away with no severe injuries although glass had shattered all over him.

“I don’t know how I am still alive today but I am thankful God kept me alive and moments like those really help me appreciate each day even more,” he said.

Johns said the main message the see PLAYER, page C-2

Once finished, and before taking the reins with the Eagles, Barefield started a successful year-round developmental program and has spent several years working with some of the top youth basketball programs in the country.

More than 10 years later, with Barefield in charge, Rancho Christian has had nothing but success. Not only has the program won countless league titles, been to the CIF Southern Section and State playoffs year after year, they have also sent a number of players to the next level. Of course, two of the top basketball players to ever come from the valley, Evan and Isaiah Mobley, who both play professionally in the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers, also played for Barefield. With a 76-62 win over Lynwood High School Saturday, Jan. 7, the

Rancho Christian Eagles gave head coach Ray Barefield his 200th career win. As of Thursday, Jan. 26, Rancho Christian sits atop the South Valley League standings at 5-0, and are 14-9 overall. Barefield’s win count is at 205, with five regular season games to go. Postseason prep basketball will get underway after brackets get released by the Southern Section offices of the CIF Saturday, Feb. 4. Visit http://www. cifss.org for more information.

JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia. com