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Edison
State freshman Evan Barger and Sinclair sophomore Drew Moore
squared off for the
second time this season. The two Tri-Villages
graduates, once teammates are now playing against each
other at the
college level. CNO photos courtesy of Dale Barger, Edison State
CC
photographer
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Former teammates now rivals on the court
Tri-Village grads reunited
By George Starks
PIQUA- In their high school days, Drew Moore and Evan Barger wore the
same uniform during basketball season at Tri-Village.
Moore graduated two years ago and has since moved on to play at
Sinclair.
Barger graduated a year ago and is playing his college basketball at
Edison State in Piqua.
Wednesday, the two were reunited for the second time this season on the
Chargers home floor.
Recently, the two hooked up at Sinclair in a game the Chargers came out
on top of.
This time around, the Chargers couldn’t hold off Moore and his Sinclair
teammates, dropping a 104-102 overtime decision.
Barger, in limited playing time, was unable to get the scorebooks while
Moore was up to his antics on the floor, netting 20 for the visitors.
“It’s good to see a familiar face on the court,” said Moore after the
game. “It’s fun to come here and compete against him with this little
high school rivalry going on.”
For Barger, the challenge to play against Moore was huge.
“I just really wanted a chance to guard him when we played at their
place,” said Barger. “I thought I did a pretty good job for the little
time I guarded him. Even though I didn’t play that much, I got to guard
him and that satisfied me.”
Now with one year of time under their individual belts at the next
level, both Moore and Barger took the time to assess the difference
going from high school to college.
“There’s a huge difference in strength and quickness for me,” admitted
Barger. “You are playing against some D-I college athletes that don’t
have the grades. People say the community college isn’t what it’s made
up to be but really it is. There’s some great competition out here. I
get pushed around so easy because a lot of these guys have football at
their schools and have good weight programs. I realize I didn’t work
hard enough through high school at all.”
Barger pointed out one of his teammates, Brandon Ervin.
“Brandon was a lineman in high school at Tipp City,” Barger stated. “He
was always hitting the weights and he came from a program that’s much
different than ours. Because of that, he’s got a little bit of an edge
on the size and that helps him.”
Moore concurred with his buddy from New Madison.
“I’ve went up against some athletes that are definitely going D-I,”
said Moore. “This is an athletic game and it takes some adjusting to
get used to it because there are some real athletes out here. The
biggest difference going from a small D-IV to here is the fact that
you’re going up against D-I athletes. When they come here, they’ve
already got the strength part down. They are top notch athletes and
they are ready to come in.”
Playing ball at the junior college (JUCO) level has helped both
Patriots.
“With me being small and undersized, it’s a good way for me to get in
to a bigger school,” Moore said. “It has been a good way for me to
prove what I can do against college athletes. Two years at Sinclair,
playing basketball, has helped me to learn that what once worked for me
in high school, doesn’t mean it will work here. You have to make the
adjustments and learn to play a lot smarter really.”
Barger has been dealing with some back problems in his new uniform but
says it’s not really affected him.
“It hasn’t affected me as much as some might think,” said Barger.
“There are guys that play a lot more than me and it’s killing them a
lot more than me. I’m trying to play through it as much as possible
because we are short on guys.”
Moore said he is looking at a NAIA school after Sinclair with his major
being business administration.
Barger is currently working toward a marketing degree but is looking to
change to graphic design.
Barger was also a 2012 CNO athletic scholarship recipient from Dave
Knapp Ford in Greenville.
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