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Barrington resigns as Du Quoin coach; Daughtery reaches out

DU QUOIN - The Du Quoin High School boys basketball team will have a vastly new look next season.

In addition to sophomore standout Lamontay Daughtery transferring out of state, the Indians now also need a new head coach after Justin Barrington sent in his letter of resignation Thursday.

Daughtery, a 6-foot-6 forward regarded as one of the top prospects in Illinois, transferred to Mehlville High School in the St. Louis suburbs after his mother received a job there in the healthcare industry.

After initially confirming his move, Daughtery later reached out to the Call to send a message to the Du Quoin community.

"I appreciate what everyone did for me in Du Quoin," Daughtery said. "Especially to the people that took care of me like Justin Barrington and Michelle and Shannon Pursell. I also want to wish the best of luck to the football and basketball team."

Daughtery, who averaged 17 points and eight rebounds as a sophomore, has already received scholarship offers from SIU and Evansville in addition to being recruited by several other Division I programs, a list that includes Final Four participant Loyola-Chicago.

Barrington, meanwhile, tendered his resignation after going 35-53 in three seasons at Du Quoin. The 33-year-old father of three is also a computer teacher at Du Quoin Elementary School.

"I'll miss coaching the kids at DHS as they have been great to work with and always gave us everything they had," Barrington said. "This will allow me the ability to see my oldest son play junior high sports, continue coaching my younger son and be around the house more with my 8-month-old daughter (Belle)."

Barrington's oldest, son Drew, turns 11 next Thursday. Middle child, son Dylan, is 8.

Barrington, a Carterville native who played at John A. Logan College and has coached in some capacity in Carterville, Herrin, Marion and Du Quoin, is also heavily involved in AAU basketball with his Illinois Bears squads in addition to other personal coaching ventures.

"I'll be able to take advantage of opportunities I haven't in the past with Pure Sweat Basketball," Barrington said. "I'll be going in June to New York City to work at Trae Young's pre-draft camp and in August will be working at Brad Beal and Zach LaVine offseason workouts.

"I look forward to continuing to teach at the elementary school and working with the great students in our district. I'd also like to thank the administration and school board for the opportunity to coach in the district."