Morgan Baker was a three-sport athlete for four years at Rochelle Township High School, so the idea of not playing sports in college gave the Lady Hub senior an uneasy feeling.

While Baker sought out potential schools to continue her academic studies at, she also needed to figure out whether or not she could keep playing sports at the next level. Fortunately, Baker managed to obtain the best of both worlds, as she made her decision to study nursing at Kishwaukee College while playing basketball with the Lady Kougars. Baker made her choice official during Rochelle’s Signing Day Ceremony earlier this month.

“I chose Kishwaukee basketball because I knew I wanted to keep playing,” Baker said. “The thought of not playing a sport after being a three-sport athlete for four years was weird. I’m looking forward to new opportunities and figuring out what I want to do in my life… College brings a lot of new opportunities and I’m ready to experience them and pursue a career.”

Baker excelled in three sports at RTHS including cross country, basketball and track. The senior was a four-time state qualifier in track and field, and she reached sectionals twice throughout her cross country career. On the hardwood, Baker played a pivotal role with the Lady Hubs basketball team, starting at guard and leading the Rochelle squad on both ends of the floor.

“I give everything I have,” Baker said. “I like to create plays and score on offense and I like to run the court and play at a fast pace. On defense I like to get steals and my goal is to create chaos. I hate to lose, and when games aren’t going well, I do whatever I can to change that.”

Baker began playing basketball in third grade when she attended St. Paul Lutheran School. She was called up to play with fifth and sixth-graders when she learned that the St. Paul team needed extra players, and after asking her parents for permission to play, she earned the green light to suit up for the St. Paul squad.

“I was happy because I had watched my sisters play before and to finally be able to play myself was exciting,” Baker said.

The 5-foot-7-inch guard will join a Kishwaukee women’s basketball program that deployed three former Lady Hubs during the 2017-18 season including Ashley Kerns, Abby Kerns and Nancy Torres. Baker said she’s looking forward to beginning her basketball career with the Lady Kougars, and after playing with the Rochelle program for four years, the senior said she’s ready to take the next big step.

“Playing basketball at RTHS helped me figure out my role as a player,” Baker said. “The program has helped me become a more confident player and it has helped me develop some leadership skills. High school basketball taught me how to play as a team, and I was able to play with some great teammates at Rochelle. I hope that will be the same during college.”