JEFF FIELDER Editor
ALLIANCE – Joel Baker, a senior at Alliance High School, has been named Nspire Today!’s Male Athlete of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance. He’s one of the top basketball players in western Nebraska, and he helped lead Alliance to the Nebraska state tournament in March. He averaged 16.7 points, four assists and three rebounds a game this season. Baker, a guard, started three years for the basketball team. He also competes for the Alliance Spartans senior Legion baseball team. Also at school, he participates in National Honor Society, FCA, and A-Club. He has a 3.75 GPA. His parents are Michael and Valerie Baker.
Q: Talk about how you felt like the basketball season went for Alliance this past season.
BAKER: “It was a really good season. Going into it, there were a lot of guys who didn’t know what their roles were going to be because Mason [Hiemstra] graduated, and he was our best player. So, a lot of guys were thrown into different roles. It took us a little while to figure out what our roles were, but the seniors had been playing together since third grade, so that made it easier. It was fun. The guys were easy to play with, for sure.”
Q: What were your goals for the team going into the season?
BAKER: “One of our goals was to host a district final, and we accomplished that, playing Lexington. We also wanted to make the state tournament and win a state championship. We didn’t win state, but we did make the state tournament, which was fun.“
Q: How did it feel to qualify for state again with this team?
BAKER: “It was really fun. The district final at home was one of the craziest atmospheres I’ve ever played in. To win it in front of our home fans was awesome.”
Q: How much fun did you have at the state tournament?
BAKER: “It was pretty fun, but it was a lot different since there weren’t many fans there [due to the COVID-19 outbreak]. We played Bluffs for the fourth time, so that was a little different, too. Usually, when you go to state, you don’t expect to play a team that is that close to you. But it was still a really fun experience.”
Q: How did you feel like your season went individually?
BAKER: “I thought I had a good season. I felt like I did a good job of leading. It was a lot of fun, especially playing for my dad.”
Q: How did you feel this season went for you individually compared to the last couple seasons?
BAKER: “I thought it went well. It was a little bit of a transition because my sophomore and juniors years I was playing off the ball more because Mason was the point guard. This year I had to move to point guard, which I hadn’t done in a couple years, but I still felt really comfortable with that. I thought I performed well.”
Q: How much did you enjoy your dad being the head coach?
BAKER: “It was a lot of fun. There were times when it was tough because he would maybe get on me a little more than some other players, but it was worth it because of the time we got to spend together. When we would win big games, it was fun to enjoy it with my dad.”
Q: Did you and your dad talk a lot about basketball both at practice and at home?
BAKER: “We talked about basketball quite a bit, but we didn’t talk a lot about our team at home. We would talk about basketball in general – like college or NBA or other high school teams.”
Q: How much has basketball meant to you over the years, and how much are you going to miss playing high school basketball?
BAKER: “Basketball has been a huge part of my life – ever since I could walk, really. High school basketball was definitely the most fun experience I had in high school. There’s nothing like playing in front of your hometown with your best friends watching you. I’m going to miss it a lot.”
Q: You also play Legion baseball. What’s the outlook for the baseball season?
BAKER: “We’re not sure what’s going to happen. The Legion is kind of going off what the NSAA does, so we can’t do anything until May 31. We’re not sure if we’re going to have a season or not. We’re really hoping to. We would have started practice by now, but we’ll have to wait.”
Q: How many years have you played for the Spartans?
BAKER: “This will be my fourth year with the Spartans.”
Q: What positions do you play in baseball?
BAKER: “Centerfield and left field.”
Q: How much do you enjoy playing Legion baseball?
BAKER: “Baseball is a lot of fun. Obviously, basketball is my first love, but baseball is one of the best things to do in the summer. The guys I play with are really close. We have a great time together, and the coaches are great, and we’ve been pretty good.” Editor’s note: The Alliance Spartans senior Legion team earned a runner-up finish at state last summer.
Q: How good is this year’s team?
BAKER: “We have our entire team back except for two players. We want to get to the state championship again and hopefully win it this time.”
Q: What are your plans after you graduate from high school?
BAKER: “I’m going to Concordia University in Seward to play basketball and major in business administration.”
Q: How exciting is it for you to be able to continue your basketball career?
BAKER: “That’s really exciting. I’m excited to get down there and start playing college basketball. It’s been a dream of mine since I was little. To have that come true is amazing.”
Q: Why did you pick Concordia?
BAKER: “Concordia is a great fit for me, I feel. The coaches and the facilities there are great, and I like the feel of the community.”
Q: What kind of role are you hoping to play your first year there?
BAKER: “I’m not sure yet. I just want to go down there and play hard and do whatever I can to help the team.”
Q: What led you to decide to pursue a major in business administration?
BAKER: “In high school I’ve always liked taking business classes. So, I felt like that would be a good career for me.”
Q: Specifically, what would you like to do for a career?
BAKER: “I’m not sure yet, but I have looked into maybe being a business teacher. I would also like to coach.”
Q: Talk about how motivated you’ve been in high school to be not only an excellent athlete but also an excellent student.
BAKER: “My parents have always told me that getting good grades is important, and I’ve always thought that as well. You need to get good grades to get scholarship money. Getting good grades is important, too, because you’re representing your family, your school and your community.”
Q: What is your favorite non-sports activity?
BAKER: “FCA because my faith is really important to me. To be able to be around other Christians who are also athletes is really fun. It’s fun to be able to share God’s word with them and talk about how God has impacted us not only in sports but also in our lives.”
Q: What has been your favorite class this year?
BAKER: “Accounting. I had never taken an accounting class before, so I didn’t really know what to expect. But I’ve really enjoyed it.”
Q: During your educational career, which teacher do you feel has made the biggest influence on you?
BAKER: “I would say Roger Trennepohl. He doesn’t work at the school anymore – he’s now the basketball coach at South Dakota School of Mines – but he was my teacher in middle school and my basketball coach my freshman year, so he’s been one of my mentors. He really helped me get through a lot in basketball and in life.”
Q: Outside of your school activities, what do you like to do for fun?
BAKER: “I like to hang out with my friends, watch Netflix, and play [NBA] 2K.”
Q: How much have you enjoyed growing up in the Alliance community?
BAKER: “The Alliance community is great. I wouldn’t want to have grown up anywhere else. The people here are really nice, and they support you in whatever sport you’re doing and everything else. I love the Alliance community.”
Q: What do you think is the coolest attraction in the WyoBraska region?
BAKER: “It’s hard not to say Carhenge since I’ve grown up in Alliance.”
Q: For those who haven’t seen Carhenge before, how would you describe it?
BAKER: “It’s kind of a weird thing. It’s out in the middle of nowhere. There’s a bunch of cars stacked onto each other. It’s something you don’t see every day.”
Q: After college, do you hope to move back to the Panhandle?
BAKER: “I haven’t thought about that much. I wouldn’t be opposed to moving back here.”
Q: What is your favorite local restaurant?
BAKER: “I go to McDonald’s a lot.”
Q: What do you like to order at McDonald’s?
BAKER: “I like the 10-piece chicken nuggets.”
Q: What is one thing you wish people would do more of?
BAKER: “Just be nicer to each other. I mean, there’s a lot of hate in the world. If you go onto social media, you’ll see a lot of hate comments. So I think the biggest thing is we need to be more positive with each other, especially with what’s going on right now. We need to rally around the fact that everyone is going through this, and we need to help people out more.”
Q: Name one person who you think is a big difference-maker in Alliance?
BAKER: “Roxie Smith. She’s a teacher at the high school. She’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. She’ll do whatever she can to help people.”
Q: Who do you think is one of the kindest students at Alliance High School?
BAKER: “Laykin Sperl. She’s a senior. She always has a smile on her face, and she’s really nice to everybody. She tries to make your day better. She doesn’t put people down. She’s always positive.”
Q: If you could give a shoutout to one business in Alliance, which one would it be and why?
BAKER: “I would say Shelmadine Print Shop. They do great work making T-shirts and sweatshirts and other cool stuff, and they’re always supporting the high school.”
Q: How are you coping with the COVID-19 outbreak?
BAKER: “It’s been tough. There’s not a lot to do. I’m just trying to stay busy, whether it’s with schoolwork or working out by myself or shooting in my backyard.”
Q: Have you been able to stay pretty positive through this?
BAKER: “I’ve been a little disappointed, but I’ve come to terms with it. There’s nothing we can do about it. The more that we all stay home and do what they say, the quicker this will all be over with, and we’ll be able to get back to our normal life.”
Q: What is your advice to people to get through this challenging time?
BAKER: “I think just stay positive and reach out to your friends and make sure that they’re doing OK. Also, don’t go too crazy because it’s going to end at some point.”
Q: Do you have any siblings?
BAKER: “Yes, I have two, older sisters – Rachel, 19, and Bethany, 24.”
If you would like to nominate someone for Nspire Today!’s Athletes of the Week, sponsored by Kristy Culek Agency, LLC – American Family Insurance, you may do so by sending an email to jeff.fielder@nspiretoday.com or by mailing a letter to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. Nominations may also be submitted by sending a text to 308-220-8865.
In addition to being recognized online, athletes of the week will also be recognized in Nspire Today! magazine. To sign up for a one-year subscription (12 issues) to the magazine, please send $15 to Nspire Today!, P.O. Box 454, Scottsbluff, NE 69363. To pay with a credit card, please call 308-220-8865.
For all your insurance needs, visit The Kristy Culek Agency, LLC-American Family Insurance, located at 1012 Ave. I in Scottsbluff, or call 308-632-8598.
