OFF TO COLLEGE – Kam Baker, front, center, was congratulated by his teammates after signing his letter of intent to continue his basketball career at Waynesburg on Friday. Baker, who has academic records and several honors and awards, is the program’s first university signee since 2005. — Contributed
TORONTO—Kam Baker has written his name in the history books in Toronto.
Baker – the starting shooting guard for the men’s basketball team – has signed to continue his academic and athletic career at Waynesburg. Waynesburg is a Division II school and the Yellow Jackets are members of the Presidents’ Athletic Conference along with local schools Bethany and Franciscan University of Steubenville.
"I went to a few games at Waynesburg and liked the way they played," said Boulanger. “I went to visit. I liked school. They have smaller classrooms. This was a better solution for me.
Baker spent countless years in the gym perfecting his craft.
“Kam is a player who comes back from time to time,” » said Toronto head coach Sean Tucker. “He’s a gym junkie. He is constantly in the gym working on his game.
“We knew he was special in seventh grade. After his college practices were over, he would come to our practices and watch varsity practice. He was shooting at the side hoop. He put a lot of time and effort into his game.
“He wanted to continue playing at the next level. He sat and talked about his first year about what he had to do. I explained to him how difficult it was to get a scholarship to play at the next level. It’s really difficult because a lot of players want to play at the next level.
“You have to dedicate yourself, put in the time and do what you’re supposed to do. I told him it all starts in class. You must prepare in class. He focused on his academics. He focused on the weaknesses in his game. He was constantly calling the coaches here so they could come into the gym.
“He’s more like a son than a player. I couldn’t be more proud of him and his family.
Baker averaged 15.7 points per game and 3.9 steals per game as a senior, and his play was one of the reasons the Red Knights won 17 games last season.
Baker set the school record with 55 3-pointers made during the season.
“I would say that my strength is my shot” said Boulanger. “I can shoot the ball. I can also play good defense. I can make a few stops. I can steal the ball.
Baker has been thinking about playing at the next level since he first put on a Red Knight jersey.
“I always loved basketball” said Boulanger. “I thought about my freshman year. I became more serious about it during my junior year and senior year. I have worked hard to be able to be in the position I am in now.
Baker also received numerous playoff awards while playing basketball at Gem City. In a rare feat for the Red Knights, Baker was named to the All-Ohio team twice.
“We actually went back and looked at the stats and everything, and since it started here, only a few players have received All-Ohio honors multiple times,” Tucker said. “I believe this has happened four times, and Kam is the fourth to do it. That speaks volumes about the dedication and effort he put in.
Baker was also named first team All-OVAC two years in a row, he was named first team All-Eastern District two years in a row and was named to the AP poll first team All-District two years in a row. Baker was a District 5 All-Star selection as well as an OVAC All-Star selection this season.
Baker is the first Toronto player to sign a scholarship to play in college since Chad Daugherty in 2005. Daugherty coached Baker when he was in college.
“It’s a bit ironic” Tucker said. “When Kam was in college, his coach was Chad Daugherty, and Chad Daugherty told me about Kam. Chad told me, “He’s a tough kid, and when he gets up there, he’s going to play for you.”
“Coach Daugherty is talking to me about different kids and he said, ‘This kid is going to play for you. It’s going to be really good for you.
“Chad Daugherty is the latest Toronto basketball player to sign to play in college, and Kam was coached by Chad. Chad went to Walsh to play basketball.
“Getting to the next level to play is difficult. It is difficult. Kam worked hard and put in the time.
There is a big difference between playing college basketball and high school basketball.
“I think it’s going to be a big step forward.” said Boulanger. “There is a shot clock in college. The speed of the game in high school is much different than in college. I think I will be able to adapt to this.
While playing in Toronto, Baker showed his ability to score a lot of points and his shooting ability should take it to the next level.
“I told coach (Tom) Weiler that offensively, Kam could fill it,” Tucker said. “He can shoot the ball extremely well. This is his strong point. You have to have guards that can shoot the ball, and Kam will be at the shooting guard position. Kam not only can shoot the ball, but he’s also not afraid to play defense. He doesn’t just play offense, he also plays defense.
“We consider this like family. We talk about the program like a family. He is special. I couldn’t be more proud for him, for his mom, for his sister, his brother and for his grandmother. They are a real family and I am lucky to have been part of this family. I have been truly blessed.
Baker should fit in pretty well with the Yellow Jackets.
“I talked to Coach Weiler at Waynesburg and I feel very comfortable as a coach handling Kam,” Tucker said. “I’m grateful for the time he invested in Kam. He went out and watched him play in Toronto. I like the coaching staff at Waynesburg.
The Toronto basketball program is a bit like a family, and Baker enjoyed being a part of it during his years playing for the Red and White.
“I think about Toronto, it’s like a family here” said Boulanger. “The basketball program is completely family oriented. The coaches here are great. They do everything they can for you. It’s a real family.
Baker will play for Waynesburg next season, but he will never forget his time in Toronto.
“I will definitely come back” said Boulanger. “I’ll come back for as many games as possible.”
Although he will play for the Yellow Jackets next season, Baker will also be a Red Knight.
“I will definitely find time to go see him play. » Tucker said. “He was like a son to me. We are a family. I will always be there for him. The Toronto coaching staff is proud of him and his teammates.
Baker plans to major in sports management.
