GANS – NORA BARNES
Written by Michael Bray
On and off the court, Nora Barnes puts her best foot forward everyday. In basketball or while working with her animals, it’s an approach of doing things right the first time without any excuses.
In basketball, Barnes brings so much to the table for coach Bobby Wheat’s Gans Lady Grizzlies.
“She does so much that it’s hard to pinpoint one thing,” Wheat said. “She brings leadership and is in the gym every extra minute she has. She has worked hard on improving her ball handling, passing and shooting. She is a rebounding machine and plays very aggressive defense. She works hard at making her teammates around her better.”
Barnes began to play basketball in fifth grade and said that coach Wheat has helped her love basketball even more.
“We’ve gotten close over the years, she knows my family and is really close with them,” Barnes said. “Ever since basketball she’s been my friend but a coach. She doesn’t take it easy on me because she knows me, that’s for sure. She believes in me and hopes that I go as far as I need to.”
Wheat mentioned one more aspect of Nora’s ability, versatility.
“She’ll play any spot on the floor we ask her to play,” said Wheat. “She’s put a lot of time in the gym at getting better, she’s aggressive, both on offense and defense. She’s constantly looking for others to give the ball to. I look forward to it helping us immensely this year getting presses and moving the ball down the floor.”
When not on the court there is another side to Nora. Her love for animals. Ever since she was young she and her family have raised and shown pigs.
“Its something that we started and did for a few years, but then my dad had to go and work so it kind of got away from us,” she said.
Her future plans after basketball is to become a veterinarian.
“I’ve always loved animals and I love being around them,” said Barnes. “I think that’s just the reason why I want to be a vet.”
Coach Wheat supports her junior’s dream and said that being around animals also helps on the court.
“To be a veterinarian, you have to know animals and be around them. Nora has horses and all other animals at home,” said Wheat. “The AG teacher at Gans is wonderful about working with us and it has not conflicted with ball, I’m fairly certain we will work around things and make it work. It is her future career. I think the two go hand in hand. In one area you’re messing with animals and getting along and in the other area you’re messing with people and getting along.”
Nora wants to be a leader on the court and said communication with her teammates is the best way to accomplish that goal.
“Helping them in practice when they don’t know how to do something I’ll show them how to do it,” she said. “Some that don’t know the plays I help work on them, learn it and write it on the board then we go out there and I show them how to do it. I boost up their confidence.”
Before she graduates one goal that she has for Gans is to build the program up and for it to keep going even after she leaves.
Her thoughts for the 2025-26 season?
“I think we will go really far this year if we just play hard and believe in each other.”
Barnes credits both her parents and coach Bobby Wheat as being the main influences in her life and basketball.
“My dad I look up to and my mom always looks out for us the best that she can, she always tries her hardest,” said Barnes. “Coach Wheat, she’s just there when I need her and she’s always been there for me.”
Wheat had nothing but praise for Nora.
“She’s one of those kids that when you get to know her you can’t help but be drawn to her,” the coach said.
