By Steve Carpenter

HCC Sports Information Director

Monday, September 22, 2008

Cortez Barnes, one of the top 3-point shooters and all-around players in Hutchinson Community College men’s basketball history, died in a car accident in Texas on Sunday.

Barnes, an All-Jayhawk Conference performer who played at HCC in 1990-91 and 1991-92, was on his way to Wichita from his home in Dallas when the accident occurred. According to the Wichita Eagle, Barnes, 36, was planning to attend an anniversary celebration at the Tabernacle Baptist Church, where his father-in-law, Lincoln Montgomery, is the minister.

Barnes, whose wife, Jamai, was already in Wichita at the time of the accident, had six children.

“Cortez was a tremendous player,” HCC head coach Ryan Swanson said. “He was a large part of the success the Blue Dragons had while he was here and he helped (Bruce) Pearl win a national championship at Southern Indiana.

“He was a terrific person who will be deeply missed by not only his friends and family, but the people here at Hutchinson Community College. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Cortez’s family and friends.”

Barnes came to HCC before the 1990-91 season for coach Dave Farrar after a stellar prep career at Wichita Heights.

A versatile 6-foot-7 forward, Barnes became the program’s career leader in 3-point field goals, tallying 122 for his career. That mark is still third on the career chart today.

Barnes scored 994 career points at HCC, which ranks 12th on the career chart. He’s 10th in made field goals (390) and third in 3-point attempts (350).

During his freshman season in 1990-91, Barnes averaged 16.3 points per game, shooting 44 percent from the field overall and 38.8 percent from behind the 3-point arc. The 62 3-pointers are the sixth-most in single-season history and fourth most by a freshman. The 38.8 percent efficiency ranks sixth on the single-season charts and is tied for seventh on the freshman chart. His 489 points rank seventh on the freshman chart. His scoring average is tied for sixth on the freshman chart.

The Blue Dragons went 21-9 in 1991, Farrar’s final season at Hutchinson. Under new head coach Steve McClain, Barnes averaged 14.8 points and hit 31.6 percent from 3-point range. The Dragons were 27-7 and finish as Region VI runner-up to eventual national runner-up Butler County.

A teammate of Barnes on the 1991-92 team was current HCC women’s head coach John Ontjes.

“Cortez was a great teammate. He was someone who you could always count on,” Ontjes said. “He was a leader. He was a person who I really looked up to as a freshman on his team. What a tremendous talent he had. I enjoyed playing with him.”

Before coming to Hutchinson, Barnes earned all-Wichita City League first-team honors in 1989 and 1990 and was a Wichita Eagle all-state selection in 1990. Barnes ranks 17th in City League scoring with 1,158 points. His junior and senior teams at Heights finished third in Class 6A in each of those seasons.

Barnes signed with South Carolina out of Hutchinson. He was ruled academically ineligible and transferred to Tennessee. He again transferred to Southern Indiana, a Division II program coach by now-Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl.

Southern Indiana won the Division II national championship in 1995. Barnes had 14 points and 10 rebounds in the title game.

Barnes played professionally in Sweden.

 

Funeral Information

Family Visitation

Thursday, Sept. 25 - 6 to 7 p.m.

Jackson Mortuary - 1125 East 13th, Wichita

 

Funeral Services

Friday, Sept. 26 - 1 p.m.

Tabernacle Baptist Church - 1817 N. Volutsia, Wichita

  

Cortez Barnes Stats at HCC (1990-92)

Year   Pts.  Avg.   FG/A   FG%  3PT/A    3P%    FT/A     FT%

90-91    489     16.3   197-448   44.0    62-160      38.8      33-48       68.8

91-92     505    14.8   193-485   39.8    60-190      31.6      59-88       67.0

Totals     994    15.5   390-933   41.8   122-350     34.9     92-136      67.6

 

Career rankings

Points – 12                                       994 points

Made field goals – 10                       390

Made 3-point goals – 3                    122

3-point attempts – 3                          350

 

Single-season rankings

Made 3-pointers – 6, 7                    62 (1991), 60 (1992)

3-point attempts – 6                          190 (1992)

3-point percentage - 6                      38.8 (1991)

 

Freshman rankings

Points – 7                                         489

Scoring average – T6                     16.3

Made field goals – 8                         197

Field goals attempted – 5                 448

Made 3-point goals – T4                  62

3-point attempts – 5                          160

3-point percentage – 7                     38.8%