Baker, Van Auken reflect on success at Bolton

LAKE LUZERNE | There may be no more appropriate of an ending this year as there was in Lake Luzerne March 13. Bolton senior Maria Baker, playing in her final varsity game for the Eagles, found herself on the free-throw line, a place where some of her biggest career moments have taken place. Getting fouled on an offensive rebound and putback attempt with no time left on the clock, the Eagle senior calmly stepped to the line and connected on the game-tying and game-winning free throws in a 46-45 victory over Hadley-Luzerne. While Baker said she knew the shots would be the final two of her varsity career, the moment was not a nervous one. "I got up there and I wasn't really nervous because I have been in that situation before," said Baker, who scored her 1,000th career point and scored big points in the last two Bolton sectional runs from the foul line. "It was just a repeat of what I had done before. I was thinking about what coach Gary (Drake) told us about 999 — imagine each foul shot you take is for your 1,000th career point," Baker said, adding, "I did not want to go out with a loss." The free throws were Baker's 1,243rd and 1,244th career points, placing her in 29th on the Section VII girls scoring list, passing 2018 Westport graduate Hannah Schwoebel on the list. She had 13 points in her varsity finale. "I am pretty content with where I am at," said Baker about the end of the season. "This year especially, I have seen a lot of improvement from the younger players, and I am grateful we were able to have a season this year. I am happy they got the chance to play this year against the bigger teams so next year can come easier to them." Top 15 for Van Auken Teammate Kate Van Auken also finished a stellar varsity career out with a bang, scoring 22 points in the victory. Finishing her all-star career with 1,381 points, Van Auken placed 14th on the list of the best scorers in sectional history, passing 2017 Keene graduate Elaina Smith. She also set the Bolton scoring record, topping 1995 graduate Allison Huck, who scored 1,358 points for her career. "That record has been there for 25 years now," said Van Auken. "I knew I was going to hit it if it had been a normal season. I knew Maria and I would both hit it, but I got lucky. Had you told me I would have broken the record in eighth grade I would have thought you were joking. All the hard work and dedication paid off throughout my career." Accomplished duo Overall, the duo combined for 2,625 points, the second-highest total for a graduating duo in Section VII behind the Keene 2017 graduate pair of Hannah Whitney (1,507) and Smith (1,368), who combined for 2,875 points. "I would not have wanted to do it any other way," said Baker. "We grew up together and we always know what each other are going to do. I'm really proud she beat the school record and could not be prouder of the way it ended." "We are as good as we are because we are together and we compliment each other nicely on the court," said Van Auken. "I could not have done it with our Maria. Maria and I have played basketball together since we were very young children. "We are such different players but when you put us together, it works."

Signup for our newsletter

Baker, Van Auken reflect on success at Bolton

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS