By Haley Mitchell Godwin

Sheonte’ Barginere, a 20-year-old standout graduate and Brantley School’s class of 2022 valedictorian, is set to make history as she joins the inaugural softball team at the United States Sports Academy (USSA) on a coveted scholarship. After a successful stint at Bishop State Community College, where she will graduate with honors in May, she is poised to embark on a new chapter in her athletic journey.

“I am excited to be part of a new softball program and something that is making history,” Barginere said.

Her decision to join USSA was influenced by a visit to the campus in Daphne, where she was captivated by the institution’s atmosphere, faculty, coaches and top-notch facilities.

“I fell in love with USSA, the faculty, coaches, facilities-just all of it,” she said. “The environment is great and similar to the small-town life I am used to.”

Barginere brings a wealth of experience and a winning mentality to USSA. She was part of state championship teams at Brantley and part of the Northwest Florida State Community College (NWF) team that came in runner up in the 2023 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) championship.

“With me having been a part of state championship teams in high school at Brantley, and coming from a national champion runner-up at NWF last year, I plan on bringing a winning attitude and good work ethic to Team 1 at USSA,” Barginere said.

Morgan Cinello, USSA head softball coach, said that Barginere’s decorated background in softball will bring a wealth of experience to the table that will be very beneficial to the new softball program.

 “Sheonte will not only bring an excellent skillset on the softball field,” Cinello said. “She will bring leadership, understanding, a team first mentality and an extremely high knowledge of the game. Sheonte is incredibly talented on the field both mechanically and when it comes to softball IQ. She offers experience to her teammates on both sides of the game and will be a very important asset for us in building a winning culture based on hard work, resiliency,  development on the field and in the classroom, as future leaders.”

Cinello described his experience coaching Bargaineer as an honor, commending her family for their commitment to the program. 

“As a head coach I am honored to have Sheonte and her family commit to building a program from the ground up,” Cinello said. “This is a group effort and it takes everyone brought in from players to coaches to families. The Barginere’s are a top tier family that will be a huge asset in the growth and success of softball at United States Sports Academy. I look forward to all of the things Sheonte accomplishes both on the field and off!”

During her high school years, Barginere’s talent and dedication to softball were evident to coaches and teammates as she played at a higher level than her peers since seventh grade. She played a pivotal role in Brantley’s state championship victories in 2018 and 2021, earning second-team All-State recognition during her senior year.

The daughter of Marvin and Shantel Barginere, Sheonte’ plans to pursue a major in business with a focus on sports management, complemented by a minor in human resources.

The United States Sports Academy, established in 1972, stands as a beacon of excellence in sports education. With a mission to elevate coaching standards and enhance athlete safety, USSA has played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of sports education in the United States. Through its innovative programs and collaborations with leading sports organizations, including the National Federation of State High School Associations, USSA continues to empower sports professionals to excel in their fields.