College Commitment: Zach Baugher (2019 Santiam Christian/Western Oregon)
This past season, Zach Baugher had a solid season at Western Oregon. But while he enjoyed his freshman year, the sharp-shooting 6-foot-7 forward felt that he needed a change. With that, the Santiam Christian alumnus made the tough decision to transfer and after evaluating a number of options, he found the right fit at Taylor University in Indiana.
“I started talking with their Coach pretty soon after I went into the transfer portal and right away I felt that it was a place and program that I would want to be apart of,” Baugher said. “Coach Andrews and I built a really good relationship and he was able to show me how I would fit in with next years team and what we need to do to compete for and win a championship and it seemed like a great fit for both ends.”
Baugher noted that he heard from a number of Division II and NAIA programs after he put his name into the transfer portal. Obviously with the worldwide situation with the virus, Baugher wasn’t able to visit any campuses but he did the legwork he could do virtually. Of all the options, it seemed that Taylor was the best fit for him both on and off the basketball floor.
“They are a high academic, Christian school that fits my worldview which I think is important,” Baugher said. “Basketball wise they have great tradition with silent night and being the sixth most winningest NAIA school in their division. I liked the way they played when I watched their film. They play hard, fundamentally sound defense and offensively they are very fluid and unselfish and I can see myself fitting into that style really well.”
Originally recruited to Western Oregon by former head coach Jim Shaw, Baugher stuck with Western Oregon after the Wolves hired on the current staff led by head coach Wes Pifer. He averaged 3.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 2019-20, shooting over 48 percent from three-point range while carving a role off the bench. He’ll be eligible immediately next season at Taylor.
“I enjoyed my freshman year a lot,” Baugher said. “But at the end of the day, Taylor fit most with what I’m trying to accomplish.”