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Baker third-team all-state selection Andy Baker's numbers spoke for themselves. They had to because, unlike the rest of the top Class 2A boys basketball performers in the state, Baker's team didn't make it to the state tournament. The 6-foot Cascade Christian senior guard led the state's 2A players with a scoring average of 21.7 points per game, connecting on 47.5 percent of his shots from the field and 90.1 percent at the foul line. He also nabbed 5.7 rebounds, doled out 3.8 assists and had 2.5 steals per game. This week, Baker was named to the Class 2A third all-state team. "Andy is the best pure shooter that I have ever had in my 12-year coaching career," Cascade Christian coach Brian Morse says. "Andy doesn't complain, is always positive, encourages the other players and is the type of player who makes coaching a very enjoyable job." Baker averaged 12 points a game his junior season but worked hard in the off-season with teammates Adam Payn and Andy Kimmelshue to boost his performance. "I think that worked to my advantage," Baker says. "I got double-teamed a few times, Bonanza box-and-oned me and I think a couple of other teams did the same thing." The two-time Southern Cascade League first-team all-star was player of the year this season. Baker had 21 points as the Challengers handed Gilchrist its only league loss, 75-56. Baker plans to attend Simpson College in Redding, Calif. He will likely pursue a secondary education degree or biblical studies. Juniors Brad Haynes and Andrew Knotts of Gilchrist were the only other SCL players on the all-state list, gaining honorable mention. State champion Oakland had both the player and coach of the year in Jason Simmons and Jeff Clark, respectively. FIRST TEAM Jason Simmons, Oakland, Sr.; David Tipton, Oakridge, Sr.; J.D. Hill, East Linn Christian, So.; Alex Carlson, Culver, Sr.; Dan Franz, Corbett, Sr. SECOND TEAM Derek Howard, Imbler, Sr.; Dave Allcroft, Westside Christian, Sr.; Odin Miller, Union, Sr.; Brett Crane, Oakland, Sr.; JaMar Mitchell, Portland Christian, Sr. THIRD TEAM Tony Walther, Western Mennonite, Sr.; Matt Ballou, Portland Adventist, Sr.; Paul Lulay, Regis, Sr.; Andy Baker, Cascade Christian, Sr.; Rob Ledgerwood, Knappa, Sr. HONORABLE MENTION Asa Richelderfer, Sherman County, Sr.; Brad Haynes, Gilchrist, Jr.; Kyle Cowan, East Linn Christian, Sr.; Brett Yeager, Oakridge, Sr.; Shawn Steele, Sheridan, Sr.; Todd Grassman, Yoncalla, So.; Adrian Knox, East Linn Christian, Sr.; Toph Parker, Monroe, Sr.; Andrew Knotts, Gilchrist, Jr.; Clint Steen, Joseph, Jr. PLAYER OF THE YEAR -- Jason Simmons, Oakland, Sr. COACH OF THE YEAR -- Jeff Clark, Oakland Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA