VYPE: What preparation have you taken this off-season to better equip yourself for the upcoming season?
Baker Hoskins: I travelled to Shreveport to play on an AAU team called the Xpress over the summer. We finished the season in Las Vegas and won our division. I’ve been in the weight room and have worked on my skill set with coach Lyndon Hawkins outside of school. I look forward to contributing where I can on Idabel’s varsity team this year.

VYPE: What has your sport taught you that you can use in your daily life?
Baker: This past year, this sport taught me to be patient and humble. In basketball, each step to becoming a better player brings bigger challenges. I don’t always meet the expectations that I have for myself, but I have learned to not get so discouraged when things don’t go my way. I have learned that I must trust that with time hard work, it will pay off.

VYPE: Who has been your favorite coach throughout your career and how did they impact you as a player?
Baker: Coach BB Griffin took a chance on me back when I was in second grade. He encouraged me to play on the Idabel AAU basketball team and I never looked back. He has been my mentor and has been encouraging me ever since. Coach Quinton Threadgill went to the State championship when he was in high school, and he’s taught me that it takes extreme dedication to be a part of a winning high school team. Lyndon Hawkins has trained me for years during the off-season and has traveled with me to countless AAU tournaments and coached many of my AAU games. I am appreciative of my basketball coaches in middle school. I’m grateful for all the time they spent with me, including Coach Blackard, Coach Slabaugh and Coach Beck.

VYPE: Did you have any teammates that you admire or that supported you?
Baker: I’ve been playing basketball with Crew Coursey and Chris Bloodsoe for as long as I remember. My freshman year, I really looked up to Cole Grant because he was a hard worker, a leader and a good guy in general. I’d like to also be a team leader like he was. Before I got my license, teammates such as Crew Coursey, Rasee Raney, Cole Grant and Cordavious Hankins all gave me a ton of rides home (which I’m really thankful for).

VYPE: Who was your favorite teacher and how were they influential in your life?
Baker: Ms. Tatum taught me English in both middle school and now high school. She brings out the best in me. And while I can’t say that English is my favorite subject, I can say that she has been one of my favorite teachers because she has always wanted what is best for me.

VYPE: What has been your favorite sport memory?
Baker: My favorite sport memory was my trip to Las Vegas. It was a lot of fun. It was also the first time I have flown in ten years. But my favorite part of that trip was hitting a game winning shot to send us to the championship game, which we went on to win.

VYPE: What do you hope to accomplish this season?
Baker: I hope that we can win a State Championship this season. I believe we are capable. My individual goal is to make a big impact on the game and develop into the best basketball player I can be.

VYPE: What matchup are you most looking forward to this season?
Baker: Millwood. They are last year’s champs and I expect that we will need to beat them along the way to the State Championship.

VYPE: What are your plans after high school?

Baker: I am not sure. I know that I want to go to college and someday, be successful in whatever I choose to do. I am not sure what that looks like right now.