WPIAL Alum Q&A – Seairra Barrett

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, January 25, 2016 | 3:41 PM

Seairra Barrett was one of the top basketball players in the WPIAL in recent memory during her accomplished career at Central Valley. Similarly, Barrett was one of the region’s top volleyball players, as well, for the Warriors. She was a four-year letterwinner and earned all-state honors in both sports.

With a six-foot frame and uncanny jumping ability, Barrett has continued her playing career in both endeavors at California University of Pennsylvania.

Not only has Barrett played both sports for the Vulcans, but she has excelled. As a freshman on the hardwood in the 2014-15 season, she was a key reserve who averaged more than seven points and five rebounds on a team that captured the NCAA Division II National Championship. In the title game triumph over California Baptist, Barrett netted 12 points and corralled eight rebounds. For her efforts, Barrett was named the PSAC West Freshman of the Year.

This year, the sophomore has started every game, and is averaging a double-double, with more than 13 points and nearly 11 boards per contest. She has also contributed nearly two steals and more than one block per game this season, and has rarely come off the court. Furthermore, the team is off to another strong start, with a mark of 12-5, including 10-4 in conference action.

Additionally, after not seeing the court for the volleyball team in her first year at Cal U, Barrett burst onto the scene in the fall, starting 13 matches and adding 172 kills. The Vulcans concluded their campaign with a record of 16-17.

Seairra took time from her day to answer an array of questions regarding both basketball and volleyball, as well as her favorite high school memory, and the best and worst aspects of snow.

Q: What strides have you made from your first year on the basketball court at Cal U, to this season?

A: I have stepped up as a key player and I’m scoring more. I just want to win and I do what I can.

Q: You are averaging more than 35 minutes played per contest, and have reached or surpassed 40 minutes in a game several times. How have you been able to develop the stamina to play so much?

A: I think playing basketball and working out everyday in the summer helped a lot. I was also on a summer league team that helped contribute. I also make sure I am eating the right things and drinking a lot of water.

Q: Did you set any individual or team goals prior to this season?

A: My individual goal this year is to become more of a scorer and look to get every rebound that I possibly can.

Q: What has been the most exciting or memorable atmosphere you have played in with Cal U thus far?

A: The most exciting and memorable atmosphere I have been in was the gym we played in at South Dakota.

Q: What are some of the aspects of your game that you’d still like to improve?

A: I really want to improve on my ball handling.

Q: You also made key contributions to the volleyball team this year. How would you evaluate your play in that sport?

A: I think I played well coming in as a freshman. I still have some things to learn on the college level and I look forward to contributing more next season.

Q: Which skills translate the most between basketball and volleyball?

A: The skills that translate the most are how I jump, my reaction speed, my speed period and my blocks.

Q: What is the hardest part about playing both sports at the college level?

A: I manage my time very well, but it can get difficult with balancing both sports with classes.

Q: Which sport did you play first as a youth, and when did you decide you wanted to play both at Cal U?

A: I first started playing basketball. I decided my senior year in high school.

Q: What is your major, and do you have an idea for a future career yet?

A: I am majoring in Accounting and minoring in Spanish. I want to work in an accounting firm if I do not go overseas for either sport.

Q: Athletics aside, what is your favorite part of attending Cal U?

A: It’s far enough away, but still close to home. The campus is really nice and I have met a lot of nice people.

Q: What was your best memory from Central Valley?

A: My best memories from Central Valley are breaking records, being the leading scorer in the WPIAL, scoring my 1,000th point and being coached by Chris Wagner.

Q: Were you able to follow or see the Central Valley football team winning the championship in 2014?

A: I did know that they were in the championship and I followed them a lot on social media especially on Snapchat.

Q: Who is your favorite athlete?

A: If it was up to my mother it would be her, but since her days are over it is now Russell Westbrook. It was Rajon Rondo when he was playing for the Celtics.

Q: What are your favorite and least favorite things about snow?

A: My favorite thing about the snow is that my classes get canceled. The worst thing about the snow is that it limits me from going places because I will not drive in it at all.

Tags: California, Central Valley