OFF TO COLLEGE — Kam Baker, front, center, was congratulated by teammates after signing his letter of intent to continue his basketball career at Waynesburg Friday. Baker, who holds school records and several accolades and awards, is the program’s first college signee since 2005. -- Contributed

TORONTO— Kam Baker wrote his name in the history books at Toronto.

Baker — the boys’ basketball team’s starting shooting guard — has signed to continue his academic and athletic careers 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 the Franciscan University of Steubenville.

“I went to a couple of games at Waynesburg, and I liked how they played,” Baker said. “I went for a visit. I liked the school. They have a smaller classrooms. It was a better fit for me.”

Baker has spent countless in the gym honing his craft.

“Kam is a player that comes around every so often,” Toronto head coach Sean Tucker said. “He’s a gym junkie. He’s constantly in the gym working on his game.

“We knew he was special in the seventh grade. After his practices at the junior high were finished, he would come to our practices and watch the varsity practice. He would shoot at the side hoop. He put a lot of time and effort into his game.

“He wanted to pursue playing at the next level. He sat down and talked his junior year about what he needed to do. I explained to him the difficulty there is at getting a scholarship to play at the next level. It is really difficult because so many players want to play at the next level.

“You have to dedicate yourself, put the time in and do what you are supposed to do. I told him it all starts in the classroom. You have to prepare yourself in the classroom. He focused on his academics. He focused on the weaknesses in his game. He was constantly calling the coaches here to be let into the gym.

“He’s more like a son than a player. I could not be more proud of him and of his family.”

Baker averaged 15.7 points per game and 3.9 steals per game as senior, and his play was one of the reasons the Red Knights won 17 games this past season.

Baker set the school record with 55 3-pointers made during the season.

“I would say my strength is my shooting,” Baker said. “I can shoot the ball. I also can play good defense. I can get some stops. I can steal the ball.”

Baker has been thinking about playing at the next level ever since he first put on a Red Knight jersey.

“I have always loved basketball,” Baker said. “I thought about my freshman year. I got more serious about it my junior year going into my senior year. I worked hard so I could be in the position I am now.”

Baker has also received numerous postseason awards during his time playing basketball in the Gem City. In a rare achievement for the Red Knights, Baker was twice named to the All-Ohio team.

“We actually went back and looked at the stats and everything, and since this has started here, we have only had a couple of players receive All-Ohio honors multiple times,” Tucker said. “I believe it has happened four times, and Kam is the fourth to do that. That speaks volumes about the dedication and the effort he has 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 as well being 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 did so in 2005. Daugherty coached Baker when he was in junior high.

“It is kind of ironic,” Tucker said. “When Kam was in junior high, his coach was Chad Daugherty, and Chad Daugherty spoke to 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 talks to me about different kids, and he told me, ‘this kid is going to play for you. He’s going to be really good for you.’

“Chad Daugherty is the last Toronto basketball player to sign to play in college, and Kam was coached by Chad. Chad went to Walsh to play basketball. 

“Going to the next level to play is hard. It’s difficult. Kam has worked hard, and he has put the time in.”

There is a big difference between playing college basketball as compared to high school basketball.

“I think it is going to be a big jump,” Baker said. “There is a shot clock in college. The speed of the high school game is a lot different than it is in college. I think I will be able to adjust to that.”

While playing at Toronto, Baker showed the ability to put up  lot of points, and his shooting ability should carry over to the next level.

“I told Coach (Tom) Weiler that offensively Kam can fill it up,” Tucker said. “He can shoot the ball extremely well. That is his strong suit. You need to have guards who can shoot the ball, and Kam is going to be at the shooting guard position. Kam can not only shoot the ball, but he is also not afraid to play defense. He doesn’t just play offense, he plays defense too. 

“We think of this as being a family. We talk about the program being a family. He’s special. I could not be more proud for him, for his mom, for his sister, his brother and for his grandmother. They are a true family, and I am blessed to have been a small part of that family. I have been truly blessed.”

Baker should fit in quite well with the Yellow Jackets.

“I talked to Coach Weiler at Waynesburg, and I feel very comfortable as a coach having him look over Kam,” Tucker said. “I am thankful for the time he has invested in Kam. He came out and watched him play at Toronto. I like the coaching staff at Waynesburg.”

The Toronto basketball program is quite like a family, and Baker has enjoyed being a part of during his years playing for the Red and White.

“I look back at Toronto, it’s like a family here,” Baker said. “The basketball program is all about family. The coaches here are great. They do everything they can for you. It’s a real family.”

Baker will be playing for Waynesburg next season, however, he will never forget his time at Toronto.

“I will definitely be back,” Baker said. “I will be back for as many games as possible.”

Though he will be playing for the Yellow Jackets next season, Baker will also be a Red Knight.

“I will definitely find the time to go watch him play,” Tucker said. “He’s been like a son to me. We are a family. I will always be there for him. The coaching staff at Toronto is proud of him and his teammates.”

Baker plans on majoring in sports management.