CHICO – Chico State Head Basketball Coach Greg Clink knew he was getting a special player when Jordan Barton signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Wildcat program last November. Now everyone familiar with California prep basketball knows as well. Barton has led Bishop O’Dowd on a postseason run all the way to the State Championship Game, which takes place Saturday at 3:30 at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield against Southern California champ Serra High School of Gardena.

Barton, a 6-foot-5 forward, averaged 11 points per game and led Bishop O’Dowd (30-3) in rebounding during the regular season. He’s been even better in the postseason, posting a double-doubles in the Dragons’ 55-31 thumping of St Mary’s-Stockton in the NorCal quarterfinals (14 points and 12 rebounds) and their 52-38 semifinal win against El Cerrito (16 points and 14 rebounds) and another monster stat line in their 57-50 win against Sacramento High in last Saturday’s NorCal title game (14 rebounds, seven blocked shots, and six points).

“After watching Jordan play twice in the NorCal playoffs I’m even more excited about him now than I was when we signed him in November,” said Clink. “He’s a phenomenal rebounder and defender and he’s a key reason Bishop O’Dowd is in the state championship. He’s just a winner and we’re excited that he’s going to be a Wildcat.”