Barton’s Clark named Plains District Coach of the Year leading Cougars back to national tournament #GoBarton

Punching a ticket to the NJCAA Tournament, Head Coach Alan Clark of the 16th ranked Barton Community College women's basketball team was named the 2023 Plains District Coach of the Year.

Clark led the Cougars to their fourth straight Region VI/Plains District Championship game, breaking through with the title defeating Coffeyville 60-56 at Wichita's Friends University. The accomplishment was the 9th region/district title and the first since the 2008 season.

Barton finished in second place of the conference race at 19-5, began their title run with a thirty-three point first round over Cloud County before completing their fifth straight semifinal appearance with a sixteen point victory over nationally receiving votes Butler.

The title game was tied only three times with eight lead changes but neither team was able to grab a comfortable lead any point in the contest.

Coffeyville built their largest lead of six in the first quarter, breaking an 8-all score with a 7-1 stretch capped by one of the Red Ravens' seven three-pointers in the game.

Barton would surge back ahead to lead by one at the halftime break then held the Red Ravens to only ten third quarter points in growing the margin to seven.

The Cougars pushed the gap out to eight early in the final period, responding to each Coffeyville surge and maintaining the margin with a minute to play but need a perfect eight trips to the charity stripe from Brennan Kirchhoff in the final thirty-six seconds in securing the victory.

Improving to 28-5 on the year having won 12-of-the-last-13 games, Barton will take on 17th seed Moberly Area Community College (28-3) in Wednesday's (March 22) opening 10:00 a.m. contest with the winner advancing to play top seed South Georgia Tech in Thursday's 2:00 p.m. second round.

Barton's last trip to the big stage resulted in a 4th place finish under Chance Lindley, completing the 2008 season at 34-4.