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Sarah Beth Barnette, one of the top sophomores in the state last season, spent the week "thinking and praying" on it, but she knew in her heart Kentucky was where she was supposed to play her college basketball.
So Thursday night, the 6-foot-2 Lexington Christian swing player called UK Coach Matthew Mitchell and gave him her commitment.
"I just knew it was right for me," Barnette said Friday. "I've been a UK fan my whole life. That's another thing that just made it seem right."
Her father, Ross Barnette, said Mitchell made it feel right for the family as well.
"Coach Mitchell solidified the deal for us," he said. "He's shown a lot of class in all of our dealings with him and we felt really comfortable with him and UK."
Several schools around the country were showing interest in the swing player, including Duke, Louisville, Western Kentucky, Arkansas and Vanderbilt.
But Barnette, who most likely will play the small forward position in college, had her heart set on Kentucky.
"I'm just thrilled for her," LCA Coach Jason Seamands said. "It's kind of her dream school. I know her family's a Kentucky family."
As a freshman, Barnette started on the LCA team that won the Sweet Sixteen. She also has started on both of the Eagles' back-to-back All "A" Classic championships.
This season, Barnette averaged 13.2 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks while hitting 52 percent from the field and 41 percent from three-point range. Barnette made 78 percent of her free throws.
Off the court, Barnette is even better, Seamands said.
"I told (Mitchell) he's getting a great player, but an even better person," Seamands said. "She's just a spiritually, emotionally healthy person and those kind of people do well wherever they go."
Barnette joins a class that already includes Nelson County standout Samantha Drake.
