By Hannah Shirey, staff writer

For most people, being told you aren’t good enough is defeating. But for LVC senior Justin Baker, the doubts of others are viewed as motivation.

Baker, a Lebanon High School graduate, had his eyes set on attending LVC for several years because of a program called Lebanon Valley Education Partnership (LVEP). LVEP involves a unique mentorship program for students in the Lebanon School District focused on the idea of further education and a clear path to get there.

LVC awards several scholarships to Lebanon High School students who are in the LVEP program and choose to enroll at LVC, making the cost of their education essentially tuition-free. Baker was awarded one of those life-changing scholarships.

“I couldn’t pass up such a great opportunity to come here for a significantly lower price,” Baker said.

Baker began his freshman year at LVC in 2016. As a former high school basketball player, he knew he wanted to play basketball in college, but he was too scared to try. Baker will be the first to admit that he was not the best basketball player in high school.

“I wasn’t very good in high school,” Baker says. “I averaged about 2 points a game.”

During his first year at LVC, he decided to focus on school, but he noticed that his grades were struggling. He even questioned if college was for him.

However, Baker had a passion for basketball that he could not ignore. He hadn’t forgotten about the sport while attending college. Baker was still playing basketball almost daily, improving his skills and gaining confidence.

He finally decided to try out for the team his sophomore year. Baker says his decision can be accredited to the few people that believed in him and gave him the confidence to try out.

“I was at a disadvantage being a walk-on because you are constantly overlooked,” Baker said. “I was a huge mystery in the coaches’ eyes.”

Baker understood his role on the team during his first year. He was more of a practice player, competing in only six games.

“I had to work harder than everyone else to get on the court, even if it would take an entire year or longer,” Baker said.

And in just a year, Baker’s time did come. Baker went from playing in six games to playing in all 25 games and starting in 22.

Baker was named captain of the team for both the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons. He decided to extend his time at LVC so he could play basketball as long as possible. He will graduate in May 2021 with his bachelor’s degree in business administration.

His final basketball season came to an end in early March. Baker led the team to the MAC Commonwealth Championship game against Albright College. In the end, the Dutchmen fell to the Lions 82-77.

Still, Baker left his all on the court of the Sorrentino Gymnasium for his final game. He scored a game-high 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting.

Basketball has been a huge part of Baker’s life for years. He has devoted an endless number of hours towards playing the sport and improving his skills.

“Many people did not think I could play at this level or be successful,” Baker said. “I would say that I proved many people wrong.”

Baker went from being an anxious walk-on player to starting every game, playing in two championship games and being named team captain twice. Without basketball, Baker isn’t sure what would have happened with his academics.

“Ultimately, basketball is what saved my college career,” Baker said.