Athlete Spotlight: Whiteshield is Eagles’ Leading Rebounder

Laron Whiteshield is a junior at Watonga High School, and is described as being a polite and kind-hearted person with a passion for basketball. In fact, he considers it to be his only hobby. He also participates in football and baseball, but has been doing basketball since he was young, and he has aspirations of playing for Baylor University in college.

He started basketball at the age of 5, when his dad Michael Barcindebar gave him a basketball and began to coach him through the sport. His dad sparked his love of basketball by putting him in games at a young age. So far the season has gone well for Laron. He is the leading rebounder for the Eagle basketball team and averages about 10 points per game, in spite of having Osgood-Schlatter disease in his knee that causes him fre quent pain.

Laron is very connected with basketball. He enjoys the fact that it keeps him in shape, and it’s taught him to “play together as one” with his teammates. Adapting to a new coach this year has been different, but enjoyable so far for Laron. His goals for this season are to “dunk on somebody” and make it far into the playoffs. “I feel like we can make it,” Whiteshield said.

However, his dad has been unable to be at any games this year, due to his struggles with Covid-19. Although he is sometimes able to watch the games online, it isn’t the same to Laron. He uses it to motivate himself, however, stating that “it makes me wanna do better for him.” His dad has taken on a coach role throughout his life. Coach Brandon Gallagher acknowledged the impact this has had on Whiteshield, stating,“I know it’s been really tough on Laron with all that’s been going on, but I know he is making his family very proud. He has a very big heart.” His grandma is another one of the biggest influences in his life. “She just supports me,” he said about her. One of Laron’s favorite things about her is the food she often cooks for him.

His sister Michaela Barcindebar is on the cheer team, and is always there to encourage him and celebrate for him during games. After games, he explained that she both encourages him, and gets on to him for mistakes. His mom also encourages him throughout basketball, telling him to “stop jumping so much.”

Gallagher is the new basketball coach for the Watonga Eagles. He’s very proud of Laron’s work this year for the team, and his personal growth so far. “Laron is extremely athletic,” Gallagher said. When asked about the impact Whiteshield has on the team, he said that Laron “has made an impact on defense, probably even more than offense.” Laron also isn’t afraid of doing the dirty work, like going for rebounds and blocks. “He plays extremely hard and gets his hands on balls for deflections and blocks,” Gallagher said. Overall, Laron is a vital part of the team for the Eagles.

Laron Whiteshield, 17

Grade- Junior

Family- Vivian Whiteshield and Michael Barcindebar (parents), Ashley Barcindebar and Michaela Barcindebar (siblings)

Activities- Football, Basketball, Baseball

Hobbies- Playing basketball