Page 7 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - March-April 2022

7

3-sport athlete rocks

his senior year at OHS

Jeremiah Jones-Baker is
a senior at Oakville High
School. He played football and
basketball for the school and
is now on the baseball team. Wherever the
Jones-Baker is in his final year future brings me,
of school and will graduate
this spring. I have to be the
Jones-Baker’s parents are one to accept it.
Talisa and Russ Baker. He
has grown up his entire life – JEREMIAH
on the Chehalis Reservation. JONES-BAKER
He attended Rochester Player shares a strong
High School previously but
transferred his sophomore
year for the opportunity to
attend school and play sports bond with teammates
with his friends. mentally and understand each
Although Jones-Baker is other better. football, basketball and baseball.
versatile and enjoys numerous “We always try our best to Eddie Klatush, a sophomore He has enjoyed basketball for
sports, his favorite is baseball. pick them up and learn how to at Oakville High School, had an as far back as he remembers
While he can play all areas work together as a team,” Jones- outstanding basketball season. and has grown up playing with
of the baseball diamond, his Baker said. He shepherded his team at the the same group of friends on
favorite is short-stop. In his final year of high regional tournament and led the Chehalis Reservation since
He views going to a smaller school, Jones-Baker views this the league in points, assists and Head Start.
school with his friends as an as a big accomplishment and field goal percentage. Klatush said this basketball
opportunity to learn with a something he takes personal This year, Oakville’s varsity season is the best year he’s had
group of students he feels pride in. He hopes to lead basketball team starting five so far with the best teammates
comfortable around and reach by example and show his were all enrolled Chehalis and coaches. He said he likes
goals together. younger siblings and friends tribal members who have when his team is involved in the
Though he is an that they can make it through played together for years. The success. For example, everyone
upperclassman, his younger high school and further their team included Ashton Boyd, on the team scored and they
teammates have taught him education. Eddie Klatush, Courtney Price, almost made a 100 points total
a lot. They even help motivate Jones-Baker plans to attend Hazen Cayenne and Shayden in a game against Wishkah.
each other in the classroom. community college next fall Baker. During their childhood, “It’s cool. We grew up
He explained that everyone and he hopes to walk they developed a strong together so we know how each
has their moments and off on to the baseball comradery and put other plays,” Klatush said. For
days, but they all go through team. He doesn’t that on display him, it’s even more than that
the ups and downs together, know what his throughout the because he gets to spend time
which helps them grow next step will be STUDENT season. with his friends and play a sport
Klatush took
after that, but he on the leadership that they all love together.
plans to transfer SPOTLIGHT role of the team, He took on a leadership role
to a university and setting the pace. after realizing that he has a good
earn a bachelor’s He had a standout influence on others. Even older
degree. season highlighted peers still look up to him for
“Wherever the by a 51-point game. guidance on and off the court.
future brings me, I have He averaged 23 points, 5.4 Klatush has various role
to be the one to accept it,” Jones- assists, nearly five rebounds and models in his life, including his
Baker said. He plans to just keep nearly three steals per game. parents. He said one individual
grinding and moving forward. He was named the 1B Coastal who he can go to for advice and
His advice for the younger League MVP and was selected mentorship at school is Oakville
generation is to be respectful to the all-area Chronicle team School District Athletic Director
to your peers and those who for his performance. The team Richard Milligan.
are older, such as parents and went undefeated in league play The starting five has two
teachers. and made it to the regional sophomores and three juniors.
One respected adult is playoffs for the first time in All five will be returning next
Oakville School District Athletic more than a decade. year.
Director Richard Milligan, who In seventh grade, Klatush Klatush’s goal for next
has provided excellent support transferred to Oakville to attend season is to build on this year’s
and advice. Jones-Baker looks school and play team sports success and lead his team
forward to staying in touch after with his close friends and beyond regionals to the state
high school. fellow tribal members. He plays tournament in Yakima.