Baines’ bewildering journey stops at CCS
By Tom Ham
Senior Staff Writer WILSON DAILY TIMES
Micah Baines, the 27-year-old son of a Wilson pastor, knew he wanted to coach basketball.
He just wasn’t certain about how to arrive at that destination.
But these days, he can chuckle and reflect on a bewildering journey.
Baines now finds himself in the role of varsity boys head coach at Community Christian School, a member of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A Coastal Plains Independents Conference. He has the Cyclones off to a 5-0 start and has already equalled last season’s win total.
“It feels great,” he said with a huge smile. “It’s truly a blessing to be in this position.”
But how about that journey?
Baines played basketball at Fike High for two years before completing his high school career at Rocky Mount Academy. At RMA, Baines led his team to a 2-A NCISAA state final and was proclaimed Mr. Basketball in Nash County.
The 6-foot guard continued his career at St. Andrews University for two years. A transition occurred there and Baines admits he heeded bad advice and left for Methodist University. There, the opportunity to play basketball did not materialize.
Baines admits he became frantic and desperate and his life turned to a darker side. He gained considerable weight.
“I was mad at the world because I couldn’t play basketball,” he admitted, “but it was my fault.”
Still, the desire to play basketball burned and, in searching the internet, he came across the National Christian Colleges Athletic Association — which he did not know existed.
Baines checked out Northland International University in Dunbar, Wisconsin, and noted: “For both of us, it was love at first sight.”
But then came the unexpected.
“What a culture shock!” Baines expressed. “It was in the middle of nowhere, in the woods and there were no black people there.”
Yet, Baines stayed and eventually convinced former Hunt High standout Anthony Lewis, now his assistant coach, to join him at Northland. A struggling program began to thrive. Before Baines’ departure, the Pioneers won a region championship and qualified for the national tournament.
After earning a degree at Northland, Baines turned to pursuing a profession. He had previously, but briefly, assisted Rod Edwards at CCS and was familiar with the program since his nephew, Rieshod Baines, played for the Cyclones. With Ronnie Wells no longer the head coach, Baines was offered the CCS position.
“I was part of the community as an outsider looking in,” Baines reasoned. “I knew I wanted to coach. I had already built a relationship with the players and was encouraged by them to become their coach. Once I prayed about it, it was pretty much a no-brainer. The rest is history.”
CCS Athletic Director Bryan Walker hopes “history” is long-term.
“I’ve been an athletic director for 17 years, and he’s the best interview I’ve ever had,” Walker said of Baines. “He’s very experienced. He’s not only a coach but a good Christian role model. Micah takes up time with the guys on and off the court as a mentor.”
Baines is big on character.
“The biggest thing is character,” he iterated. “We must take responsibility and accountability and play with heart and effort.”
By Tom Ham
Senior Staff Writer WILSON DAILY TIMES
Micah Baines, the 27-year-old son of a Wilson pastor, knew he wanted to coach basketball.
He just wasn’t certain about how to arrive at that destination.
But these days, he can chuckle and reflect on a bewildering journey.
Baines now finds himself in the role of varsity boys head coach at Community Christian School, a member of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association 1-A Coastal Plains Independents Conference. He has the Cyclones off to a 5-0 start and has already equalled last season’s win total.
“It feels great,” he said with a huge smile. “It’s truly a blessing to be in this position.”
But how about that journey?
Baines played basketball at Fike High for two years before completing his high school career at Rocky Mount Academy. At RMA, Baines led his team to a 2-A NCISAA state final and was proclaimed Mr. Basketball in Nash County.
The 6-foot guard continued his career at St. Andrews University for two years. A transition occurred there and Baines admits he heeded bad advice and left for Methodist University. There, the opportunity to play basketball did not materialize.
Baines admits he became frantic and desperate and his life turned to a darker side. He gained considerable weight.
“I was mad at the world because I couldn’t play basketball,” he admitted, “but it was my fault.”
Still, the desire to play basketball burned and, in searching the internet, he came across the National Christian Colleges Athletic Association — which he did not know existed.
Baines checked out Northland International University in Dunbar, Wisconsin, and noted: “For both of us, it was love at first sight.”
But then came the unexpected.
“What a culture shock!” Baines expressed. “It was in the middle of nowhere, in the woods and there were no black people there.”
Yet, Baines stayed and eventually convinced former Hunt High standout Anthony Lewis, now his assistant coach, to join him at Northland. A struggling program began to thrive. Before Baines’ departure, the Pioneers won a region championship and qualified for the national tournament.
After earning a degree at Northland, Baines turned to pursuing a profession. He had previously, but briefly, assisted Rod Edwards at CCS and was familiar with the program since his nephew, Rieshod Baines, played for the Cyclones. With Ronnie Wells no longer the head coach, Baines was offered the CCS position.
“I was part of the community as an outsider looking in,” Baines reasoned. “I knew I wanted to coach. I had already built a relationship with the players and was encouraged by them to become their coach. Once I prayed about it, it was pretty much a no-brainer. The rest is history.”
CCS Athletic Director Bryan Walker hopes “history” is long-term.
“I’ve been an athletic director for 17 years, and he’s the best interview I’ve ever had,” Walker said of Baines. “He’s very experienced. He’s not only a coach but a good Christian role model. Micah takes up time with the guys on and off the court as a mentor.”
Baines is big on character.
“The biggest thing is character,” he iterated. “We must take responsibility and accountability and play with heart and effort.”
