By Michael Lindsay
Cumberland County Lady Jet senior Emery Baragona’s childhood dream of playing college basketball is a step closer to reality following her signing ceremony with the University of the Cumberlands Monday afternoon.
“I didn’t expect that many people to show up, but when I saw everybody here, I was so happy,” Baragona said. “It made me realize how many people have been supporting me. I’m very grateful.”
“You look around and see a great turnout that’s come to support Emery, and that says something about her. It’s really great for her,” added Lady Jet head coach Kim Cram-Torres.
Baragona realized her childhood dream was within reach during her first season at CCHS.
“It didn’t turn into reality for me until my freshman year,” she said. “Freed-Hardeman called me, and after that, the amount of work I put in went through the roof.”
Baragona, a three-year starter at point guard for the Lady Jets, has won two district titles and a District MVP trophy so far.
“Point guards are the most important part of your team,” Cram-Torres said. “They have to be great leaders with strong personalities and confidence. It’s a tough road to go once you get to the college level.”
The opportunity to contribute as a freshman is rare, but Baragona led her team to a district title in her first season with Cumberland County.
“Young players learn under a great amount of pressure,” Cram-Torres said. “For her, it was immediate; we need you to do this and do it now. There wasn’t an opportunity to grow into the position.”
Baragona committed to the University of the Cumberlands in the summer, taking loads of pressure off the rising senior.
“Now I don’t have to worry about this; I can just go into every game and play for fun,” she said.
“I’ve always wanted to play college basketball, so it’s always been ‘I have to do this so I can get somebody’s attention.’ But now I can just go play and not worry about that.”
Baragona’s signing is valuable to her upcoming season with the Lady Jets, too.
“You take a weight off your shoulders when you sign,” Cram-Torres said. “Now, her only focus is this last season in high school. Now it’s all clear, and she only has one thing to think about; her success as a senior.”
The University of the Cumberlands was a no-brainer for Baragona.
“All the other schools I visited, there was always a ‘but there’s this.’ Whenever I went to the University of the Cumberlands, I knew right away,” she said. “They’re a Christian school and the coaches are amazing.”
Familiar faces helped Baragona in the recruiting process.
“The Monday twins (Kassie and Kaylie) from Clarkrange were talking to me a lot,” Baragona added. “They were part of the recruiting process.”
Though Cram-Torres has been Baragona’s head coach and assistant throughout her high school career, their relationship began much earlier as Cram-Torres’ husband, Jon, coached Emery at Homestead Elementary.
“I knew Emery as just a player by being a mom in the stands watching my own kids,” she said. “Watching Emery at a young age, you saw that she was feisty and very tough. As she got older, she got more skilled, and her competitive nature has continued to mature as well. It’s great to see it come together.”
Baragona’s journey to college basketball wasn’t lonely. Along with her parents, she had plenty of coaches to thank.
“My first coaches were here today: Coach Sherry and coach Donnie Knox, and I absolutely adore them,” she said. “They shared their love and passion for the game with me. My next coach was actually coach Jonny in elementary school. He taught me all the techniques, and he got to coach me in high school.
My AAU coaches were here, and coach Andy and Becky were. They’ve all been such a big confidence booster. Obviously, coach Cram is here, and Jason Winningham has trained me for years.”
Baragona contributes her success to her work ethic.
“I just put more work in than others,” Baragona said. “I still have a social life, but basketball has always come near the top for me. My faith and family come first, but basketball comes third.”
Despite her successes, Baragona also recognizes room for growth in college.
“I asked them what I need to work on, and it’s definitely my strength,” she said. “College is such a different game completely. I’m pretty quick, but I need to work on stamina.”
While at UC, Baragona has a few career paths in mind.
“I’m probably going to get my master’s in education,” she said. “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher so I could coach. But if not teaching, I also work at Chuckles, and I work with the owner a lot. I can tell she really loves what she does, and that makes me want to open my own business.”
Baragona and the Lady Jets enter this season with high hopes as they return the core of their team that won the District 7AA regular-season crown last year.
“The group that we have is very experienced and goal-oriented,” Cram-Torres said. “They have a lot of things they continue to want to accomplish.”
“We’ve all played together since we were little,” Baragona said. “It’s cool to do it together. We can go however far we want to, and all have the same thing in mind.”
Baragona’s role with the team will be bigger than ever.
“You ask everything out of her; this is it,” Cram-Torres said. “This will be her last go at it. It means more. It’s a lasting impression, and that’s the last word.”