BENNETTSVILLE—Bailee Barfield is the kind person who can do anything she puts her mind to. And she’s taking that mindset to St. Andrews University in Laurinburg this fall.

Barfield signed her letter of intent to play basketball for the Knights with her family and coaches at her side.

She said that it’s important to remember that student comes first when you’re a student-athlete.

“You have to put as much effort in your school work as you do on the court,” she said.

Barfield credits her mother’s memory with giving her the motivation for success. “I didn’t have her for a long time, but I had her for a good time. The only thing she wanted for me and my brother was to go off and play the sport she loved watching us play. She was a big Duke fan, but this blue and white is going to be just as good. I give the glory to God and I thank you all for coming.”

Marlboro County High School principal David Johnson said anytime you get a chance to go to school and someone else pays for it is a big relief.

“We are pushing our students who excel in athletics to be the best they can be in the classroom, especially if your plans are to pursue sports beyond high school,” he said.

And for Barfield, she’s proven up to the challenge. She didn’t play this season because she had another goal. Barfield started a farm — while keeping her grades to a high standard.

Girls’ basketball coach Leah Zimmerman Barfield set a goal to start a farm and did just that. “She bought animals, she would round up her goats in the morning before coming to school, she had roosters and hens because that’s what she wanted to do. She put her all into it. It says a lot that she’s being offered this opportunity,” she said.

St. Andrews University interim women’s basketball coach, Randy Johnson, said Barfield is the second Bulldog signed at SAU. “I knew who she was because I’ve seen her play throughout her career,” he said. “She is our first signee for the 2024-25 school year. I know she’s going to come in and work hard. She’s going to be in good hands.”

Johnson said Barfield is close enough for the Bulldog family to support her in the next level of her career.