By Jimmy Allinder
MaryBeth Barnosky’s thought process when she’s on the basketball court is to always be in the moment.
In other words, the rising senior year at Spotswood High School and key member of the Chargers’ girls hoops team blocks out everything around her except her very next decision, usually with the ball.
“I consider that to be one of my strengths,” said Barnosky, who plays point or shooting guard. “Basketball is such a fast-paced game, it’s important to think quickly about what to do next.”
Barnosky joined the rotation when she was just a freshman, playing all 26 games on the schedule and averaging 4.3 points per game. A broken arm cut short her sophomore season, and she ended up playing only nine contests.
Last season, when Barnosky was a junior, she emerged as one of the team’s top players. Although Spotswood finished 8-18, Barnosky led Spotswood in scoring with 10.5 points per game, 77 field goals, 18 baskets from beyond the arc and 45 free throws converted. She was also one of the team’s top defensive players, as evidenced by her 40 steals.
Rich Gawlak, who served one year as interim coach for Jill Hetzler, had nothing but high praise for Barnosky’s impact on the team’s performance.
“MaryBeth is a well-rounded player who constantly strived to be the best player on the court. Off the court, she works equally hard in the classroom,” he said of Barnosky, whose grade-point average is 3.3, which is a solid B. “It has been a pleasure watching her grow as an athlete and student since she arrived, and we’re looking forward to MaryBeth leading our team with the same passion and intensity she’s displayed throughout her career.”
Barnosky, a Spotswood native, entered high school well-prepared to take her spot on the varsity team. She began playing basketball in kindergarten and was coached by her father, James, during those formative years. She also attended middle school at Immaculate Conception School and was coached by Mark Marazzo, a mentor she says taught her many important lessons, including focusing on the here and now.
“He showed me how important it was to concentrate on what I was doing at that very moment on the floor and not allow my head to move faster than my body,” she said. “I’ve tried to remember that every time I play.”
Barnosky said she learned about the finer points of the game from a former AAU coach, Ryan Shellhammer, who spent hours in the gym together. It was Hetzler, who will be back on the Spotswood sidelines this winter, who helped Barnosky maintain a positive attitude, regardless of the circumstances.
Barnosky has played for her current AAU team, the AUF Hawks, for the last year.
She said she plans to play basketball in college.
“Right now, I’m interested in is Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York,” she said. “Another school that has reached out to me is William Paterson University.”
Playing sports and maintaining good grades requires solid planning, she said, which is something she’s tried to do throughout high school.
“Schoolwork always comes first,” she said. “I may try to find time [to complete it] before and after practices or games, but I eventually get it done.”
Barnosky says her parents, including her mother, Dyana, have always been supportive throughout her career.
“I cannot remember a time when I wasn’t playing sports, and my parents have been right there cheering me on,” she said. “Even though my dad coached me when I first began playing basketball, he never showed any favoritism and that made me work harder.”
Barnosky says her most cherished memory growing up was going on long road trips with her family.
“I remember us playing a bunch of CDs and singing along to all the songs,” she said.
Barnosky hopes to make more music this season on the basketball court.
