Steve Nafziger | Echo
Another piece of rich history is in the books for Taylor men's and women's basketball. The teams will take the court this season with new coaches for the first time in 24 (women) and 34 (men) years. The men's team welcomes head coach Josh Andrews, former Ohio high school coach, while women's head coach Kelly Packard looks to carry over her success from a four-year stint with Ball State.
"They're players' advocates," said athletic director Angie Fincannon. "They connect with the players so well. That's what I've been impressed with early. They've both proven themselves as coaches who can win championships."
Packard brings with her a tradition of winning from Ball State, where she coached from 2008 to 2012. She ranked second on the school's all-time wins list with 58. Her first season highlighted her career as her 12th-seeded Cardinals knocked off the two-time defending champion Tennessee Volunteers, led by legendary head coach Pat Summit.
Packard recognizes the success that has come before and wants to blend that foundational past with her coaching style and identity.
"I continue to be very encouraged at how this group is excited to receive new teaching and to implement it," Packard said. "There is no resistance in what we are trying to introduce technically, and the energy brought to practice each day is consistent."
Men's coach Josh Andrews is Taylor's third head coach for Taylor since 1947. In the past six seasons, Andrews recorded a 112-35 record with both Princeton High School and Middletown High School in Ohio. He also recorded eight coach-of-the-year awards and four district championships over his career. In 2009, Andrews led his team to a state championship game where they fell 60-58 to a Northland High School team that included 2 future NBA players in Trey Burke and Jared Sullinger.
Andrews prides his teams in three main components: a team attitude, a winning work ethic and emotional toughness. The challenge is taking these three components and implementing them with his new players.
"We have to grow in between the start and the finish of this year," Andrews said. "We want to play with a ton of energy and grow our ability to play with pace and get up and down the floor. No doubt, no hiding it, we want to be a national championship level program."
Winning is something the men's and women's teams are looking to continuing with both teams coming off winning seasons last year. The men have some key pieces to replace, including their top three scorers: Casey Coons, Nate Kasper and Tommy Peller.
Seniors Ben Raichel and Josh Riikonen look to pick up where their former teammates left off. Last year, Raichel was the fourth leading scorer with 8.2 points per game while Riikonen finished fifth with 2.9 points per game. Both seniors look to increase their productivity as they will get new opportunities in the new look system.
"I think we have a new role as seniors," Raichel said. "Last year, we had Casey, Tommy and Kasper to lean on, so with them being gone, I'm going to have to step up, Josh is going to have to step up, and even some of the juniors."
The men's program has a new addition in sophomore Kyle Stidom, who transferred from Davenport University where he appeared in all 34 games. Sophomore Darayl Jordan joins the starting five and looks to lift the TU offense with his scoring.
On the women's side, two freshman accompany 12 returning players. The women also lost their three leading scorers but still have six players who appeared in all 31 games last season, proving that they don't lack experience on the court.
Led by six seniors, Packard's womens' squad isn't planning to miss a beat despite losing some scorers. Senior Kelsey Bryant averaged just under 11 points her sophomore year and 8.4 last year. She also led the team in steals and assists. Senior Shayna Wood averaged 7.1 points per game and 3.8 rebounds per game. Senior Becca Daniels averaged just under 6 points per game, 2 rebounds per game and 1 block per game last year and hopes to give Taylor the well-rounded play they need this season.
The Athletic Department, coaching staff and players are all looking forward to the new era in Taylor basketball.
Fincannon unveiled some new and exciting programs the athletic department has implemented for the upcoming basketball season. Taylor will reveal a new mascot, since the old mascot has been retired. The Athletic Department is also working to have "Game Day Sponsors" that might have free giveaways. Also, the TU Poms team will be making many appearances throughout the season, and they'll be more active throughout games.
The athletic department has also implemented a punch card system. If a Taylor student attends five games, he or she will turn his or her punch card in for a chance to win a big screen TV in a drawing at the end of the season. The more games attended, the more punch cards can be turned in for a better chance to win. It's just one more way that the athletic department wants students to enjoy the fan experience.
"God is using people in so many ways to glorify Him and (athletics) is one way," Fincannon said. "It's not the only way. It's just one way . . . but this is a chance for our campus to get behind something exciting."
The women's team will tip-off on today against Purdue Calumet at 4:30 p.m. while the men's team begins play on tomorrow hosting Siena Heights at 3 p.m.
Photography by Timothy P. Riethmiller
