Bellows Falls Legend Barber Coaches One Last Game, Says Goodbye

Jayne Barber: photo by Jesse BakerPublished in The Message For The Week, Ferbuary 25, 2009
BELLOWS FALLS, VT – In her final game as head coach of the Bellows Falls Union High School girls' basketball team, Jayne Barber could not come up with enough of that old coaching magic to pull out a win, dropping the final game of the regular season, 47–36, against rival Springfield at Holland Gym in Westminster.
It was also senior night for the Lady Terriers, with Molly Chisamore, who is also coach Barber's niece, Kealy Chipman, Ella Vosburgh, Daretye Fontaine and manager Audrey Forrest all being honored before their final high school game. Therefore any attention for coach Barber would have to wait until after the game, “because the kids always come first.”
The game however, as with most of the season, did not go as planned for Bellows Falls, as the Lady Cosmos jumped out in front early and never gave up the lead the entire contest. The key to the game, which seems to have been a concern the entire season for the Terriers, has been turnovers. “We didn't take very good care of the ball tonight,” Barber told reporters after the game.
Yes, defense was the name of this game early on, with just 11 points scored in the first quarter as the Cosmos held an 8–3 lead, but a 7–0 run at the end of the second quarter extended the Springfield lead to six at the break. Springfield would build as much as a 10–point lead in the third quarter, anchored by some tough defense from the likes of Desmond Dana and Breanna Gunn, however the Lady Terriers kept hanging around heading into the fourth quarter after baskets from seniors Chipman, Vosburgh and Fontaine to get back within four.
However the Lady Cosmos would continue to cause turnovers with their defense and hit their free throws down the stretch, and despite a Chisamore jumper that cut the lead down to four with two minutes remaining, Springfield held off the Terriers to spoil the final game of coach Barber's illustrious run at BFUHS.
For Bellows Falls, who finish a disappointing 4–16 on the season, Fontaine led all scorers with 18 points, while Vosburgh pitched in with eight. For Springfield, Sarah Vredenburgh and Kyla Perham led the way with 11 and 10 points respectively.
Coach Jayne Barber: Jesse Baker photoDespite the tough loss, a post–game ceremony to honor coach Barber certainly lifted the spirits of the hometown crowd, with a couple dozen of Jayne's past players present to celebrate after her final game. A celebration in which the now former coach and player was given a framed uniform featuring her name and the #15 to honor her playing days in the 1970's, as well as a game ball from her 300th coaching win. As a Lady Terrier player, Barber was a 1,000–point scorer (1,114) from 1972–76 and reached the state title game twice, although coming up on the short end both times.
A Springfield College graduate, Barber took over the Bellows Falls girls' hoop program in December of 1981 and proceeded to win five state championships, including an undefeated season in 2003. “It's all about them,” Barber said as she pointed to all the former players surrounding her. “I worked really hard to try and make them better people through the game of basketball. “And I think I succeeded. What I see here are some outstanding young ladies and yeah, they're good basketball players too. I can leave with my head held high and be proud of what we've accomplished. Bellows Falls girls' basketball is outstanding because of everyone in this gym, and it always will be.”
Yes, Jayne Barber might not have always walked the path of least resistance, but there is absolutely no denying her success and positive influence. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to come up with an individual who has meant more to the culture of Bellows Falls Terriers basketball than Jayne Barber. Congratulations coach!