Prospect Spotlight: Abby Backes (2020)

Israel Potoczny

November 18, 2019 @ 12:00 PM

After a strong offseason, Tipton 2020 guard Abby Backes is gearing up for a big senior season. At 5’5, Backes is capable of playing either guard spot and is an aggressive player at both ends of the floor. She enjoys controlling the game at the point and works hard at the defensive end of the court. She was a part of a Cardinal team that lost in the Elite Eight her sophomore year and helped lead the team to a 28-2 and an appearance at sectionals last season. Backes averaged 21.4 points and 3.8 assists per game as a junior. She spent the offseason competing for the Missouri Phenom 17U squad and says the experience helped her take her game to another level. “It was my first year for them and I honestly learned a lot and felt more mature on the court,” she said. “It allowed me to play against some girls on a higher level and better prepared me for college.” Backes says her Tipton team has high expectations this season with four of five starters returning. “After coming up short in playoffs the past two years, were looking to make a huge run this year,” Backes said. “Our work ethic and hunger is there so we’re just looking to take it day by day. We added Bolivar and Mid Buchanan to our schedules, which are both solid programs and it’ll be a good test for us this year.” Backes says her sister Rachel and dad have had the biggest influence on her basketball career to date. She says her high school coach “Family wise, my sister and my dad have been the biggest influencers as far as teaching me the game and how to work hard in every moment on and off the court,” she says. “My high school basketball coach has also impacted me in more ways than I can count. He’s shaped my game and character the past 3 years and has made me love basketball even more! All three of these people have never stopped being my biggest fans and I couldn’t imagine it any other way.” Backes says she grew up watching her older sister Rachel Backes play at Westminster. “I literally always wanted to be like her,” she said. “Her court vision and toughness were the biggest things that stuck out to me, and I’m always working to be like her.” Backes recently committed to Columbia College and says the choice was an easy one for her. “Coach Possail runs a great program and I can’t wait to be a part of it,” she said. “The energy and aggressiveness that he implements into his team stuck out to me right away, as well as the family atmosphere. I’m excited to start this next chapter and hope to bring lots of success with my new teammates.”