Jim Baker has always been a winner. A 113-58 career mark as a head basketball coach solidifies that statement.
So that’s why last season’s 14-14 campaign befuddled the former North Rowan graduate.
Especially in January when the Indians went a very un-Baker-like 1-8.
“It caught us by surprise,” Baker said during the recent Operation SAC. “We were like a car not hitting on all cylinders. We took bad shots at the wrong time.”
Another thing that hurt was senior Davor Krusevljanin not having his best season. And for that fact, Ned Gusic, a Yugoslavian like Krusevljanin, has worked harder than at any time in his career.
“He came in my office and said, ‘Coach, I want to do everything I can not to let that happen to me,”’ remembers Baker. “And he’s leading the team in running. He’s making good decisions.”
Gusic (10.9 ppg) was always known for his 3-point accuracy, but Baker has him taking it to the basket more instead of, as he puts it, “taking all of those crazy 3s.”
Helping out all over the court is Baker’s dynamic 6-6 junior Terrence Hamilton. He can throw down jumpers but there is nothing like the slams he throws down on opponents. He is simply an excellent athlete who averaged 14.8 points and eight rebounds last season.
“I think he’ll be one of the better small college players around,” said Baker.
Another key for Baker is 6-5 sophomore Brian Carter, who may be the most improved player on the team.
“Brian is bigger, stronger and is probably playing as well as Terrence,” said Baker. “He’s got a chance to be a really good player.”
Baker beams when talking about the newcomers who could help turn Catawba back into the South Atlantic Conference contender it usually is.
Duke Phipps, Tevon Raikes and Alex Luyk are the big names.
Freshmen Phipps and Raikes are both from the Tidewater area in Virginia. Phipps is a 6-0 guard from Hampton and Raikes is a 6-3 forward from Newport News.
Phipps has people doing double-takes over his talent. He bench-presses 265 pounds, can throw down 360-dunks with both hands and is a dribbling wizard. He could very well end up as the SAC’s top diaper dandy.
“He is probably as talented a kid as I’ve brought in here,” Baker said. “He just has to learn to be more consistent. He will throw the ball all over the gym.
“But people are really going to be surprised by his ability. I don’t think I’ll start him from the get-go, but he’ll play a lot.”
Raikes was All-Peninsula on a team where everyone else was a D-I prospect.
“You’ve got to see him,” Baker gushed. “He can jump out of the gym. He needs to get stronger. He weighs 165.”
And then there’s Luyk, who could be a dominant inside force. He actually signed with Bobby Cremins and Georgia Tech last year and redshirted before transferring to Catawba. He is a 6-9 center who grew up in Spain while his father coached Real Madrid.
“Alex wasn’t quite athletic enough on that level,” said Baker. “But he played in practice against Jason Collier and Alvin Jones every day. He’s a tad thin but is an excellent passer, aggressive and can shoot the ball a little bit. We’re expecting a lot out of him down the road.”
With Phipps and last year’s starter at the point, B.J. Robertson, a 6-1 junior from High Point, Baker can get the passing and defense. With Hamilton and Raikes, he can get the leapers. With Luyk and Carter, he has inside strength. But who is going to shoot the ball from outside to keep defenses honest?
The 6-6 Gusic, for one. Redshirt freshman Britt Jernigan, who lit up every high school gym he entered while at North Stanly, is ready to explode onto the scene. And 6-4 freshman Brad Hagaman, who led Wilkes Central to a 26-1 record last year, can light it up beyond the arc.
“Hopefully, with Jernigan, Hagaman and Raikes, we’ll get the problem of our outside shooting solved,” said Baker.
“Jernigan can stretch you out. He has a quick release. And he has worked out. He looks like a linebacker. But if we can make a few from the outside, other teams can’t pack it in on us.”
When Baker needs a stopper, Baker can turn to 6-3 Quentin Bryant, another guard from North Stanly, and Jacob Parks, a 6-8 muscleman inside.
“They’ll be in there a lot late in the game for defense,” Baker said.
Other guards include Byron Whitehead, Kevin Petty, Jamark Parker and Chris Montanaro, the only other senior besides Gusic.
The bottom line is this. Baker does not foresee another .500 season. He is expecting wins.
“I like to average in the 80s,” said Baker, “just like we always have. This year, we’re going up and down the floor.”
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