by By BEN JOHNSON, Tahlequah Daily Press
One definitely considers herself a leader. One kind of does — but not really.
Both Jordan Barr and Julia Sewell have taken different paths to get to where they are at now. But one thing is for sure: they represent the senior class for the Class 5A No. 8 Tahlequah Lady Tigers.
As a four-year member of the Tahlequah basketball program and an individual who has witnessed three straight first-round exits in the playoffs, Barr has seen some less-than-pleasant times in orange and black.
That’s what has made a 16-6 season such a joy to be a part of.
“I’m at a loss for words,” Barr said when asked to put this season into words. “My freshman year, we were terrible. So coming from my freshman year to my senior year — going into the playoffs — it’s something else.”
The jubilant demeanor that Barr exudes stems from her team being named a regional-tournament host. Tahlequah, the top seed in the regional, will take on Hale Thursday night at 8 p.m. at the TMAC with a regional final spot up for grabs.
“I’m just happy to be a part of team that can host its own regional,” Barr said. “We’ve never been as good as we’ve been this year, so I’m glad I can be a part of this.”
Her career-long path as a Lady Tiger also has molded her into a leader this season. With a team full of underclassmen and a handful of juniors, Barr exerts instructions and pick-me-ups whenever she sees fit.
“Yeah, I think I am a leader,” Barr said. “I encourage every body when they’re down.”
Barr’s most influential move for the Lady Tigers came before the season even started.
With freshmen Jhonette Cookson and Desiree Phipps arriving on the scene and making a bid at starting jobs, Barr saw the writing on the wall.
“I was really hoping that I would be able to start,” said Barr, who averages 2.4 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. “But I see that there are better players in front of me.
“…When Jhonette came in, I didn’t have a problem with her for stepping in front of me. She is taller and she’s better, so that’s all there is to it.”
Walker said he never faced any resistance from Barr or Sewell when approaching them with the notion of having them come off the bench.
“When it came time to make that decision,” Walker said, “they were both on board. They understood because they wanted to be a part of a successful program.”
At 5-foot-7, Barr’s role off the bench is to provide relief for Casey Beaston and Cookson. She also knows if either one gets in early foul trouble, her name is likely to be called to go check in.
“That’s when I know I have to step up and do what they do on the floor,” Barr said. “Because I know if they’re not in there, it’s going to be my job to get the rebounds.”
Sewell’s role varies slightly.
Rather than logging minutes in place of Beaston and Cookson, Sewell, at 5-9, often subs in for guards, Phipps and Randee O’Donnell.
“Julia can shoot the outside shot,” Walker said.
Sewell sees herself more as a lockdown defender when she steps on the court.
“I like to play defense more, because I don’t consider myself that much of a shooter,” she said. “But defensively, I look to help my teammates more.”
Sewell is in her second season with the Lady Tigers after moving from Pawnee during after her sophomore campaign. And as a newcomer and someone who hasn’t been around during her entire high school career, Sewell doesn’t identify herself as a vocal leader for the Lady Tigers.
“I kind of help with the freshmen and the sophomores,” Sewell said. “As an overall leader, though, I don’t consider myself a really good leader.”
Even with a reserve role, Sewell said she’ll do whatever is necessary to help Tahlequah reach its postseason goal of winning — and winning often.
“I definitely want us to win our first game,” she said. “And I would like to see us make the state playoffs. I know we could work hard enough to where that’s possible.”
Story @ http://tahlequahdailypress.com/sports/x402364957/Role-recognition
