Jovanny Torres isn’t looking forward to the day he looks at his lineup and there’s no Adryauna Baker.

“It’s going to be an emotional night for me this year after our last game, having to say bye to her knowing I won’t have her back next season,” said the Okeechobee High School girls basketball coach.

Until that time arrives, Torres and Okeechobee fans can enjoy watching the final season of one of the region’s top talents. In fact, Torres admits to sometimes becoming a “spectator” while watching his standout guard.

“She is definitely a game changer,” he said. “She can not only score, but defend at a very high level. It’s so exciting watching her sometimes I turn into a fan and start jumping around at some of the amazing things she does on the court. She brings so much energy and excitement to the game.”

Baker is the only Seminole on the varsity team. She and three other players from the class of 2022 (Brianna Johnson, Morgan Tucker and Jasmine Shanks) were honored on senior night Nov. 15 before the Brahmans’ 56-48 win against Cardinal Newman in the season opener. Normally, senior nights are set for final regular season home games, but the pandemic has caused some programs to hold those nights early in the season to be certain that they happen.

Baker was accompanied to midcourt by her mother Brandy Herrera and niece Jaylee Osceola in the ceremony. Okeechobee followed with lopsided wins against Port St. Lucie and South Fork.

Through the first three games, Baker averaged 12 points, three steals and nearly five rebounds per game.

Baker, who was the team’s MVP as a freshman and sophomore, wants to play college basketball. So far, she has received interest from Division III colleges, including schools in Illinois and Pennsylvania.

It’s no coincidence that Okeechobee has ascended to new heights during Baker’s career. The team is 36-11 since her sophomore season. As a sophomore. Baker helped the squad set school records for most points (1,468), most wins (20), most points scored in a game (77) and best winning percentage (.771). It was the same season that Baker set individual OHS records for most blocks in a season (50) and most steals in a game (12).

Last season Baker averaged nearly 10 points and led the team in assists, blocks, rebounds and steals.

Aside from all the stats and numbers, Torres said Baker is as amazing off the court as she is on it.

“She is such a great kid to be around off the court, also,” he said. “Her personality is so unique. She is always making everyone laugh, including me. She brings drinks for the entire team at practice somedays, took the team out for smoothies after workouts a couple times. Just an all-around awesome kid.”