Final

https://youtu.be/5bJRXRHbrkE    https://youtu.be/Dd_2hFGfDXw

 
  Sam Baker, the only freshman to play on the Lancers varsity basketball team, Norton ended their basketball season with a 16-8 record overall. The team's season ended in a heartbreaking loss to ORR in the Division 3 South finals. Star players being the senior starting five group of Jason O'Neil, Bret Murphy, Keenan Coffey, Brandon Jenkins, and Paul Caramanica. Who led the Lancers through their high winning season. Sam's first appearance on the varsity floor was at home against the Holliston Panthers to finish up the game at point guard. The crowd was full of excitement knowing the Lancers had the win, when their bench entered, and they were ready to show the fans the skill they possessed.

          On January 9, 2015 Norton High hosted the Holliston Panthers in high hoped for yet another  team win, and that is most certainly what they achieved. The Lancers played a strong game offensively and defensively and finished it with a comfortable final score of 69-42. The starting five again having a team play style and sharing the points throughout themselves, Matt Petersen, sophomore came off the bench also contributing hustle plays and rebounds to help keep then Lancers lead steady. As the games end was nearing, coach Mark Liberatore sent in the rest of his roster to close out the game. Sam Baker being the player to enter the game as the point guard.

            Sam, arguably one of the better freshman basketball player to attend Norton High and play for the Lancers A strong willed player and is granted for his hard work with a spot on the varsity team. Yet with such a strong starting five from the Lancers getting minutes out on the court is an uphill battle, for any player on varsity especially an underclassman. Knowing that Sam Baker's work ethic became even more eye-popping than before as he began the long road fighting for varsity minutes. "He has become on of the hardest working players on this team" friend and teammate of Sam, Nick Ruby, freshman on the JV basketball team, said after a tough practice when he noticed all the passion Sam puts into building his basketball attributes. In this case, going into the mid-season opener against Holliston had Sam thinking, this game is the game. Meaning he knows something special could happen.

            Luckily, for Sam that night was his time to get some action. Although for fans when the clock is winding down and there seems to be a clear cut winner of the game, not much excitement occurs. On the other hand, for the players finally getting a chance to show themselves, this was an audition. Sam knew he had to at least show he could facilitate the game, a vital aspect of the point guard position as well as controlling the tempo of the game. That he did, keeping the game at the ideal pace for the Lancers to walk away with a well-played win. Baker used ball handling skills on offense and quickness on defense in the final minute to finish off the Panthers. "I'm sappy to see his skills greatly improving also, I'm happy he finally got minutes on the varsity floor." Josh Leafer said just after the game. He ended the game with one assist to give the Lancers their final bucket in his minute of playtime.

         "But a minute was all he needed" spectator Tim Munger said in the post game also adding "I'm glad he got to give the coaches a good look into the future" Sam, glad with his performance nonetheless knowing he was still the only freshman this year to accomplish such a feat. Others very proud after his showing. Most are well awarevhis hard work and perseverance paid off in the end. Sam ended his season as a starter on the JV team and doing very well, also adding those varsity minutes.
 

        I was lucky enough to land an interview with the freshman basketball player. Sam was a person who spoke the truth and understood what it meant to work hard to reach a goal, he is known to always adhere to his word. Some of the better answers he gave came when I asked about why he works so hard and what motivates him. For example, when asked who his role model was he answered, "Bret Murphy one of my very good friends" and went on to explain because he was also such a good mentor, and a good athlete to set your goals towards. He also answered explaining how chemistry and how friendly the team was with each other played a role in this seasons success when asked how his teammates get along. Lastly, when asked how he played he was not very fulfilled with how he played, hoping for a more copious box score. He was still very glad to be apart of the game. Sam also understands that he has to show himself to get what he wants, a trait not many people this age possess.