College women’s hoops team lands Golden Eagle
Three-time Thorold High athlete of the year Hannah Baker taking her game to Niagara
Basketball standout Hannah Baker will be playing close to home when she returns to the court after graduating from Thorold Secondary School.
Baker, who played hoops at the club level with the Niagara JUEL program, intends to get the most out of the police foundations program she will be taking at Niagara College’s main campus in Welland.
“I want to maintain great academics, and I hope that my program will help give me a good idea of what I will be doing for the rest of my life.”
A feeling of home and a sense of community factored in Baker’s decision to choose Niagara.
“Thorold is a small-town school, and it’s nice because everyone knows each other,” she said. “I’ve heard Niagara has the same type of feel where everyone is friendly and knows one another.
“Niagara has limitless opportunities as the school has great varsity sports, student centres and potential volunteer opportunities.”
The 5-foot-9 Baker brings a strong athletic resume that includes Th or old Secondary School athlete of the year honours in 2014, 2015 and 2016. She has been a team captain at both the senior and junior high school levels, and has significant experience competing at the JUEL Elite level.
One of head coach Mike Beccaria’s top recruits, Baker has a strong basketball resume that includes being a captain of her junior and senior Golden Eagles teams in high school, as well as significant experience playing against elite-level competition with the JUEL program.
“She’s very athletic and is a strong defensive player,” Beccaria said. “We expect good things from her from the guard position.”
At the letter of intent signing ceremony held at the college’s athletic centre, Beccaria praised Baker’s maturity and work ethic.
“We first met Hannah in her Grade 11 year,” he said. “She is an excellent student and a quick study on the court.
“We have been extremely impressed by her dedication and willingness to work hard.”
Baker said she hopes to hit the ground running once practice gets underway in preparation for the 2017-18 Ontario Colleges Athletic Association season.
“I’m looking to have a strong rookie season, and contributing whatever I can to the team,” she said. “Competing at the post-secondary level will definitely take some adjusting, but I hope to make the most of it and, in the end, achieve the main goal of winning.”
Beccaria led the Knights to a 12-6 record in league play and the consolation title at the provincial championships in his fourth year as head coach of the women’s team.
The retired high school teacher previously coached the Niagara men’s team and won an Ontario bronze medal in 2009, as head coach, as well as in 2003 as an assistant coach.