As a freshman in her second year playing basketball at Liberty Christian Academy, Bristol Barron has worked hard to fine-tune her mental approach to the game and to life, in general.

It’s worked out pretty well for all involved as Barron has increased a scoring average of 3.3 points per game last year to a team-high 8.3 PPG this year.

“I have been recently trying to change my mindset on a lot of things, also just having more of a calm spirit,” Barron said. “I have been off my phone a lot more recently and really just trying to worry less about people and things but focusing much more on the important things.”

While things have been tough for Liberty (3-8) so far this season, Barron said she feels as if she’s seeing a young team find its way with more than her 4.2 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game.

Just as she’s led the team in scoring, she’s also had to work as an on-court leader for the team. It’s a role she relishes, she said.

She learned everything she knows about not only being on a high school team but also being a leader from a recent Liberty Christian graduate.

“I think overall this basketball season has been pretty good so far, and it has been a huge challenge to be the point guard on a team I started (playing for) last year,” Barron said. “It has been a great difference between eighth and ninth grade, because of more of just the leadership role I took over this year, as it’s just my first year of high school. A huge factor on our team was Lauren Moss, who graduated last year, so just taking over that sort of leadership role as a point guard has been an extremely big adjustment.”

Liberty Christian coach Kimmy Meyer said that her freshman plays well beyond her years.

Sure, her ability is there but her drive is just as impressive, the coach said.

“Bristol works hard at her game away from practice and it’s noticeable,” Meyer said. “Sometimes you forget how old she really is. She has a natural way of taking things over when she locks in and that leads our team in a way that I think some might underestimate.” 

Meyer said that one thing Barron needs to work on is something that will likely come with age.

The coach said her point guard has to be able to give herself a break. It’s a trait that will pay dividends throughout her life.

“Bristol is definitely coachable, she has deep care,” Meyer said. “When she feels responsible, she takes on the weight. That can be too much for a freshman. It’s hard growing up for any kid, but when they’re called to lead others, they feel the pressures and expectations. I think she is learning how to navigate through this and she will be stronger and a better athlete, student, employee, mother and wife for it.”

Barron said she aims to continue refining her mental and physical acumen throughout the rest of this basketball season and over the next three-plus years in the classroom, on the hardwood, and on the soccer pitch.

Her favorite class in school augments all the work she puts into the fields of play.

Still, she wants to work hard to better herself as a student and an athlete.

“My grades have been good, and my favorite class right now is definitely fitness as my elective class, because I have always loved working out and just building my body as a temple for the Lord,” Barron said, “Everything I’m doing over there is definitely transferring and helping me in basketball not only physically, but also mentally teaching me to push myself and not give up when I’m physically overwhelmed or its hard.”