2-time state champion basketball coach Jim Baker leaves Central Cabarrus for Cannon

A head basketball coaching move in Cabarrus County will have a big effect in both the N.C. High School Athletic Association and the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association.

On Thursday, former Central Cabarrus High School head boys basketball coach Jim Baker told HighSchoolOT that accepted the same position at Cannon School.

Baker led the Vikings to consecutive NCHSAA 3A state championships. The Vikings have an active winning streak of 65 games.

The 2017-18 season was Baker’s first at Central Cabarrus. Before his arrival to coach the Vikings, he was the head coach at NCAA Division II Catawba College in Salisbury for 20 years. Baker’s Catawba teams posted a combined record of 344-236.

Central Cabarrus posted records of 4-21 and then 6-19 while Baker laid the foundation for his program. In the 2019-2020 season, Baker’s team shifted to its winning ways. Central finished that season 17-10. During the shortened 2020-2021 season, the Vikings had a 12-2 record. Baker’s Vikings started 30- during 2021-22, but well to West Charlotte in the 3A West regional final.

Overall, Baker led Central Cabarrus to a 134-53 mark.

Baker is taking over Cannon from Ché Roth, who led the NCISAA 4A program since 2012.

Ruth helped Cannon win back-to-back NCISAA 4A state championships in 2019-2020 and 2020-21.

With Baker filling the shoes for Roth, Cannon has a chance to remain a major threat in the private schools’ 4A classification.