AURORA | A profile look at Gateway junior Michkaleke Baker, who is set to play for Team West in the second A-Town All-Star Boys Game set for March 18, 2017, at Cherokee Trail High School. The boys game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. or immediately following the girls game that begins at 3 p.m. (buy tickets in advance: bit.ly/ATOWN2017):
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
Boys A-Town All-Star Game returns after strong debut
MICHKALEKE BAKER
School: Gateway High School
Year: Junior
Height: 5-foot-9
2016-17 averages: 15.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2.0 steals, 0.6 blocks per game
Season highlights: The Gateway boys basketball team came into the 2016-17 season with high expectations, as it expected its abundant athleticism and emphasis on a faster pace of play could pay dividends. Coach Jason Dixon’s Olys played well in spurts in the early season, however they weren’t able to get into the win column until they got into EMAC play on the other side of the winter break. Gateway finished with six victories — all in league play — as it finally gained some traction. Junior guard Michkaleke Baker — also known as Man-Man — pushed his team to succeed as much as he could and did just about everything in his power to get it in the win column. At just 5-foot-9, Baker managed to lead his team in rebounding at 7.6 boards per contest — third among all Aurora players (behind only two 6-8 centers, Gaige Prim of Grandview and Will Becker of Smoky Hill) — which was his greatest source of pride. Baker also scored in a variety of ways and led his team in scoring at 15.1 points per game, in addition to assists (4.6 apg), steals (2.0 spg) and blocked shots (0.6 bpg). The All-EMAC first team selection will play on Team West in the second A-Town All-Star Boys Game.
Baker vs. Aurora teams: vs. Hinkley (14 points, 7 rebounds); vs. Vista PEAK (15 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists); vs. Aurora Central (19 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists); vs. Rangeview (22 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, 4 steals)
