Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

Local Sports

Related Photos

  • Repaying the game... New Bluefield College women’s basketball coach Melissa Baker, left, goes over a drill with camp participants. Baker and the Rams are hosting the week-long Lady Rams Skills Academy at the Dome Gynasium. The camp concludes today. Staff photo by Jon Bolt

    MJ Baker

Discussion

July 8, 2011

Baker excited to lead Lady Rams

By JONATHAN GREENE Bluefield Daily Telegraph

BLUEFIELD, Va. — When Melissa Baker first arrived at Bluefield College in April, her first introduction to the area was not a pleasant one.

After leaving her car parked for a month, Baker found out someone had welded off her catalytic converter.

Despite that rough first month, Baker is enjoying her first few months as the new Lady Rams' head basketball coach and is “excited about the community”.

“I like the small, close-knit family atmosphere where everyone pretty much knows everyone,” Baker added.

She is also excited about what is returning for the Lady Rams, which is coming off an 11-19 season.

“We have four really good seniors that are returning,” Baker said. “I was excited we had a good foundation. The team went through a lot last year. 

“I came in pretty strong and I got a lot of resistance back in the sense that they were still hurt from the whole situation. I had to adjust to that. I'm super excited even based on what happened last year.”

Bluefield College saw its head coach, Steve Hardin, resign barely a month into the season early last December, and assistant coach Jessica Brokaw was picked to run the program on an interim basis.

“These girls deserve a new opportunity and change for things to turn around,” Baker said. “It's been challenging changing the mind frame, because I think things were a lot different than what I expect.

“My expectations are little higher. I think that's what they need and what they want.”

After spending the previous two years at Spartanburg (S.C.) Methodist College, including an undefeated conference season this past year, Baker jumped at the opportunity to leave the junior college.

“Bluefield College has a great atmosphere in the sense that it is Christian-centered.” she said. “I knew it was a smaller school and the community really is surrounded by the school in the sense of support. They're moving in the direction.

“I prayed about it and the door opened. I figured that God has a place for me and it's here.”

Under Baker, the Lady Rams will be expected to present a tough challenge on defense to opposing teams that should not come as a shock as that is how she played in college. A NCAA Division II standout with West Florida, Baker holds that school’s all-time women's records in rebounds and shot blocks.

“I'm a big defensive coach,” Baker said. “A really big defensive coach. I throw a lot of defenses out there. I try to catch teams off guard.

“If we can push the ball in transition and get advantages, we will. We'll play a little bit of everything. I'd rather have the easy offense which plays off the defense.”

While she got a late start to recruiting, Bluefield College put together an impressive class of four incoming freshmen, three transfers from Spartanburg who will be sophomores and another transfer player, this time from Florida A&M.

“Even though it's late in the game, we're finding players who were looked over,” Baker added. “Which is to our benefit. I'm excited to get to know the region and talent around here.”

After being in and out over the past few months, Baker had her first opportunity to do get to know the area talent this week with the Lady Rams Skills Academy. About 25 girls, ages 10-18, are attending the four-day camp which wraps up today.

“It's really exciting to see them get better,” Baker said of the camp participants. “The first day, they weren't working hard. They weren't going hard.

“Now, I'm holding them accountable. To see them grow in three days is awesome. We've got some good young players coming up.”

Baker is hoping this is just the beginning as she works to “repay the game” that did so much for her.

“My high school coach was like a father-figure to me,” she said of why she got into coaching. “I came from not the most stable family and my high school coach had such an impact on my life. The game of basketball did so much as far as paying for my education and opening up opportunities. I want to give my players and other kids the same opportunities.”

While Bluefield College gives her the perfect avenue to teach the area youth and college athletes, Baker has not forgotten about the on-court aspect.

“I think people are going to be surprised of what comes out of us,” she added. “I know we haven't had the strongest program in the past. I know we're going to turn things around.”

— Contact Jonathan Greene

at jgreene@bdtonline.com

Text Only
Local Sports