Taylor Westgate drove the Trojans women’s basketball team with determination and patience.
Westgate averaged 13.9 ppg and 9.7 rpg as well as shooting 41.6 percent from the floor.
Her phenomenal stats led Westgate to earn first team All-Crossroads League this season.
Her stats were not the only thing that sparked energy for the team.
“She plays with a lot of grit and passion. In the post, you get beat up a lot, and she wouldn’t really let that get to her head like some of the other people around the league would have. No shade,” senior guard Ava Henson said.
Not being swayed mentally was a strength that Westgate recognized and believes is what shaped her career.
This year, Westgate led the team in blocks and rebounds, was second in scoring and finished third in assists.
Westgate also hit a career achievement of 1,000 rebounds against Bethel (IN) on Senior Night, bringing Westgate and the team to tears.
“When she hit her 1000th rebound this year, it was very emotional. That was just really special to her,” Henson said.
Westgate had a special relationship with her grandfather who motivated and encouraged her before he passed away a few years ago.
He always showed up to her games to encourage her to play to the best of her abilities.
“Whenever he was in the stands, he would constantly be yelling to rebound no matter what. Offensively or defensively and I think that was motivation enough for me to step out there and just play hard and go after every single rebound,” Westgate said.
Head coach Cassie Wiseman knew of her personal goal to reach 1,000 rebounds and saw Westgate challenge herself to be able to get to the next level when it came to rebounding.
With the goal in mind, Westgate also tied a program record in single game rebounding against Huntington on Jan. 17 with 25 rebounds.
“She was a leader by example and always showed up to practice giving 100 percent,” Wiseman said.
As someone who has lived a life of resilience, Westgate is now moving onto bigger things.
She will attend the University of Indianapolis for grad school next fall. However, she feels as though her basketball career has come to an end.
Westgate suffers from arthritis in her knee due to a meniscus tear she suffered in high school. This, along with a recent back injury has given her a good reason to begin settling down.
“I’ve thought about (continuing my career), but my body is telling me no and I really want to focus on school. I’ll probably join intramurals or something there,” Westgate said.
Through 15 years of basketball, Westgate hopes she left a positive impact on the team.
“I want them to remember that I never put my worth in my performance or how well I did on the court, but rather, who I was in Christ,” Westgate said. “ I think that elevated me to another level because I wasn’t so focused on how good I was or how good I could be, but helping my teammates achieve their goals and also showing people that Christ is the only person that can define me,” Westgate said.
Taylor University will be saying goodbye to one of the best to go through their program. Not only because of what she did on the court, but also for the example she was off the court.
Basketball was more than just a game for Westgate. Through her passion she found a way to bring glory to Christ and helped others feel the love He has to offer.
