Ithaca’s Baker named All-American again

Ithaca High School’s (IHS) Shea Baker recently wrapped up a tremendous senior season on the girls lacrosse team and received All-American honors for the second consecutive year. The Boston College commit certainly earned the accolade by lighting up the scoreboard all season long for the Little Red, scoring 78 goals with 19 assists.

To be named as one of the best high school lacrosse players in the nation takes a lot of talent and plenty of hard work. Baker was also recognized as an Academic All-American too, which added to her excitement.

“I’m just extremely honored to have received it again,” Baker said. “Not only that, I was also surprised to be honored with the academic side of it just because I feel like there’s less recognition there. It just really surprised me. [My academics] is one of the things I’m most proud of. It kind of flashed me back to when I was always coming home late Sunday nights from either hockey or lacrosse tournaments or practices and I would turn the little light on in the backseat and annoy my parents while they were driving and also give myself terrible migraines.”

After several years of being one of Ithaca’s top performers on the field, Baker finally got to experience leading the team as a senior. She took advantage of the opportunity and grew as a lacrosse player as a result.

“I think that every new season comes with a new responsibility and role,” Baker said. “This year, at the beginning of this season — actually, way before that — I took it upon myself to make it a priority to lead and inspire the younger girls on my team. I think that’s one of the most empowering things that you can do in any activity. It really gave me confidence, which in turn elevated my play.”

On June 7, Baker’s national letter of intent signing ceremony was held at IHS. Current and former coaches and high school administrators were at the event and spoke about Baker’s impact on and off the field of play. She talked about handling the high level of praise.

“It’s hard for me to sit there and listen to that because part of me just doesn’t really want to accept it because I know that I owe so much of my success to older girls who kind of carved the way for me in the Ithaca lacrosse program,” Baker said. “So, it’s a little bit awkward for me, but I’m so grateful that these many people care about me and have been following my success and helped me get to where I am.”

Baker is the latest Division I talent to graduate from Ithaca High School. She was able to watch her former teammates, Mackenzie Rich and Alecia Nicholas, win the NCAA Championship this year at the University of North Carolina (over Baker’s future Boston College teammates) and talked about joining the college ranks like several of her former teammates.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Baker said. “I’ve enjoyed every second of high school lacrosse, but I’m so excited to just enter a new realm of the sport, and the biggest thing is just the new sciences and psychological aspects that the ACC has to offer. I think it will not only just help me elevate my play but just help me in every aspect of life in the future.”

Part of the adjustment Baker will have to make is now playing with and against athletes at her high level. She talked about going from leading a team to being one of the new faces.

“I just think that every new season brings a new role,” Baker said. “Going from a senior to a freshman, obviously you’re a little bit more of a workhorse and you kind of fill in the cracks rather than being the puzzle pieces. I’m just excited to fill whatever role most helps my development.”

The process of embracing that new role has already begun, with Baker already acting on Boston College’s summer workout plan. She detailed her summer plans.

“I just recently received my workout and run packet,” Baker said. “I’m doing that and supplementing that with other things. Then, I have a couple of tournaments with my Boston College commits throughout the summer. It’s actually a pretty light tournament schedule. Then, I have the Under Armour Senior All-American game, which I’m so excited for.”

Baker is not only an offensive threat; she also led the Little Red in caused turnovers, ground ball pickups and draw controls this season. She hopes that the well-rounded aspect of her game helps her contribute to the team as a freshman. She’ll be doing so on one of the best teams in the country, as the Eagles have reached the last five national championship games.

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