CHICKASHA – Having the tennis program cut at East Central may have been the best thing that ever happened to Phil Barnes.
As a junior in 1978 all of a sudden seeking a new place to play tennis, Barnes found USAO. And from there, his life just fell into place.
“I wouldn’t be where I’m at if I hadn’t gone to USAO. There’s no question about it,” Barnes said. “You don’t think so at the time at you are being molded, but...