Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

1:58 p.m. • 5-18-13

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Today: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 82° F
  • Sun: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 78° F
  • Mon: Thunderstorm.
    • Hi: 78° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Published: 2007-03-25 18:12:00
Updated: 2007-03-25 18:54:40

Barton Basketball Team Returns Home as Div. II Victors


Barton Players Return Home
Barton Players Return Home
print friendly

This year's Cinderella story didn't come on the men's road to the Final Four. It's the tale of a tiny school from Wilson, and the star player's last-second shot that earned Barton College the men's Division II title.

The Barton Bulldogs flew in to Raleigh-Durham International Airport early Sunday evening, where the squad dubbed “the little team that could” got a big welcome home as the new Division II men's basketball champions.

“It's my senior year, it's my hometown, so I'm just elated with joy right now,” said Barton guard Anthony Atkinson.

Atkinson earned those feelings of jubilation. In the final seconds of the championship game, he saved the day for his team.

“I was at half court with about 2.3 seconds (left), so I figured, why not go for it?” Atkinson said.

“We weren't going to go down without a fight,” said Barton junior Brian Leggett. “It's been the story of our season, just coming from behind. It's probably one of the greatest comebacks in Barton history, in basketball history, period.”

It’s earned respect for a school of about 1,100 students.

“It feels good,” said student Antonia Wortham. “It feels real good that they're getting love coming from the small town of Wilson.”

“There are people from all over the country calling us and saying, ‘Where's Barton? What's Barton?’” said Barton College president Norval Kneten. “They're excited about us and interested in us.”

“There are good things that can happen in small places,” Atkinson said. “A lot of people look over small places like Wilson County.”

  • Reporter: Erin Coleman
  • Photographer: Tom Normanly
  • Web Editor: Dana Franks

27 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

View Comments VIEW ALL 27 COMMENTS

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Latest Comments
Definitely a game for ESPN Classic! Congratulations to the Barton College Bulldogs! NCAA D-2 Champs!

Barton will be holding a clinic for any ACC school on how to win games in overtime. Topics included: How to score more than 1 basket Overtime Defense Playing above and beyond expectations and Winning the tough ones.

Congratulations, Barton College! You make us proud to call you Champions!!! A well-deserved win...Enjoy it, Champs!

If any of the ACC teams had the heart Barton had they would win the NBA championship!

One of the BEST finishes in a basketball game I have ever seen! Great job! Talk about NEVER giving up!

View Comments VIEW ALL 27 COMMENTS