Akron’s Brady Baer is now Colorado’s all-time leading scorer. (Bill Sabo/CSU-Pueblo)
PUEBLO — Move over Brian Wood, Brady Baer is now sitting on the throne.
Baer, a senior at Akron High School, scored 40 points Thursday to become the Colorado boys basketball’s all-time scoring leader.
With a huge boost from Baer, Akron beat Meeker 81-64 in a first round Class 2A state game at Colorado State University-Pueblo’s Massari Arena.
“This means a lot, but I think I will reflect on it a little more after the state tournament,” said the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Baer. “Now, I’m just focused on winning. That’s the No. 1 thing on my mind right now.”
Akron’s Brady Baer set the career scoring record with this shot. (Bill Sabo/CSU-Pueblo)
Baer now has 2,562 points in his stellar career. Wood held the record at 2,551 points which he set while playing at Buena Vista from 1997-2001. Wood is now an assistant coach under his dad, Bob, at Mountain Vista.
“The last four years we are not where we are at without him,” said Akron coach Greg Clarkson, who has coached Baer since he was in seventh grade. “He’s the best player I’ve ever coached and the best player I ever will coach.”
Baer came into the state tourney this week averaging 31 points a game this season for No. 3-seeded Akron, which improved to 24-1 after its win Thursday.
He broke the record with 1:55 to play in the third quarter on a 3-point shot. Baer had eight points after the first quarter, 23 at halftime and 30 after three quarters.
“(Today), I was able to get to the basket which got me going and my shooting came with it,” Baer said. “I’m definitely glad I got this record out of the way. I was tossing and turning (Wednesday night) thinking about that and winning and now I can just focus on winning.”
Akron plays the winner of the game between No. 2 Lutheran and No. 7 Holyoke at 8:30 p.m. Thursday. Akron is trying capture its first Class 2A state boys basketball title since 1989.
Baer scored 442 points his freshman season, 579 as a sophomore and 758 as a junior. He has scored 783 so far this season.
Baer also has another record in his sights. He’s averaging 27.4 points per game over his career, which is 0.1 points off the record held by Niwot’s Wayland Harris (1988-89). Baer’s career high is 55 points, something he did against Merino on Jan. 18.
(Bill Sabo/CSU-Pueblo)
Clarkson is quick to point out Baer is far from one-dimensional.
“Ever since he was in second grade he has wanted to play basketball at the next level (in college),” Clarkson said. “Once we finish practice, he will stay at least another hour trying to improve his game. Plus, he is an unselfish player. He averages six assists and six rebounds a game and wants everybody to get shots because he doesn’t want everything to be about him. He’s a special player, and all he is cares about is doing what he can to help our team win.”
Baer admitted basketball has been a constant in his life since as long as he can remember.
“My dad (Alan) put a basketball in my hand when I was very young and I have always wanted to play college basketball,” said Baer said. “That’s my goal (to play in college) and I work to reach that goal every day by practicing.”
Baer is undecided where he will play college basketball, but his talent hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“Chadron (Neb.) State is looking at me and so is CSU-Pueblo and Colorado Mesa University,” Baer said. “I have no idea where I’m going to go, but I’m really looking forward to playing college basketball wherever I land.”