Throughout the season, Niles North small forward Demarion Bariffe-Smith has had one major directive from Vikings coach Glenn Olson.
“He says I have to be the hardest worker on the floor,” said Bariffe-Smith, a senior who lives in Skokie.
Added Bariffe-Smith: “Even though I’m not going to score 30 points a game, rebounding and defense are the keys for me. That’s my strong suit. My points (often) come from defense (steals) and rebounding (putbacks).”
With established scorers like seniors Dravon Clayborn, Damaria Franklin and Jamal Stephenson, and a lack of size up front, the 6-foot-4, 167-pound Bariffe-Smith is often counted on to do the dirty work inside for the Vikings, who started the season 13-0 before dropping back-to-back Central Suburban South games against New Trier (60-58 on Jan. 9) and Maine South (79-73 on Friday).
Olson points out that Bariffe-Smith is more than capable on the perimeter, where he projects to play in college. At times this winter, Bariffe-Smith has displayed those outside skills, especially early in the season, when Stephenson was sitting out for academic reasons, according to Olson.
But the Vikings often need Bariffe-Smith’s length — he said he has a 6-11 wingspan — and tenacity down low.
“He’s a tough kid. He’s definitely a next-level wing, but he is a post player for us because we lack size,” Olson said of Bariffe-Smith, who is receiving interest from Division II, Division III and NAIA schools. “(Bariffe-Smith) does what it takes to play out on the perimeter, but goes under when we need him to go under the basket. He’s the epitome of a team kid.”
Through 14 games, Bariffe-Smith was averaging 8.5 points and 8.4 rebounds, despite regularly giving up several inches and pounds to frontcourt opponents.
Against New Trier, Bariffe-Smith regularly found himself matched up versus 6-9, 215-pound junior forward Ciaran Brayboy.
Bariffe-Smith often fronted Brayboy, and in several instances used his reach and athletic ability to prevent the Trevians from throwing the ball over the top.
“I was trying to rebound, rebound, rebound, and play my role to the fullest extent,” Bariffe-Smith said. “I wanted to prove that I can guard every position, especially somebody 6-8 or 6-9. It’s just about being active and proving you can guard every position.”
Bariffe-Smith finished with two points, seven rebounds, one steal and one block.
Brayboy registered 19 points, 13 rebounds and five blocks; however, 11 of his points came in the fourth quarter against a seemingly fatigued Niles North defense. The Vikings missed the energetic and talented Stephenson, who played just six minutes the entire game because of cramps.
Bariffe-Smith has had more productive nights this season. Among the highlights were a 12-point, nine-rebound performance in a 70-43 win over Lake Zurich on Dec. 23 and a nine-point, nine-rebound effort in a 64-52 win over Evanston on Dec. 15.
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Olson said he believes Bariffe-Smith’s game will continue to evolve over the next four years.
“His best basketball is ahead of him. He can do more than just battle under the basket. He can shoot, makes good decisions with the ball,” Olson said. “He’s not one of those kids who grew up playing a ton of ball and was highly touted as a freshman. But he loves to be in the gym, loves to shoot and work on his game, and I’m excited to see where it goes (in college).”
Bariffe-Smith, who started playing organized basketball in seventh grade, said he will need to put on a little more weight in order to be successful on a college basketball court. In college, Bariffe-Smith plans to study civil and structural engineering and he said he possesses a 3.8 GPA.
Though Bariffe-Smith said he has visited a few colleges and been in touch with coaches from others, his main focus remains the Vikings, a team that appears to have a target on its back after its early-season success.
“Every single game, we get the opponent’s best game, so we have to come out with the mindset that we have to earn every win,” Bariffe-Smith said.
He added: “It’s been exciting. I’ve never been a part of that (a team with so much hype, publicity and attention), and the other kids have not been a part of that. We have to live up to the expectations that other people have of us.”
Dan Shalin is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press