Heading into the 2024 season, the Taylor women’s basketball team looks to bounce back from a 12-17 (7-11) season. Before last year, the Trojans had achieved six consecutive winning record seasons.
Fifth-year senior guard Ava Henson is a key player to watch this season. She was the only Trojan last season to play a total of 1000 minutes, putting up 16 points per game while shooting 39.8 percent from three. She should continue to greatly contribute via her sharpshooting prowess. On the defensive side of the ball, she averaged over one steal per game last season along with twelve total blocks.
Guards Kendall Wayne and Maycee Woods, two seniors, will be key contributors to the team, both returning for their fourth seasons, along with fellow backcourt member, senior guard and transfer Ellie Vermilion.
This season’s starting lineup will look different to Taylor fans this season with Hope Custer, Taylor Westgate and Claycee West all graduating last season, who combined were responsible for 32 points per game for Taylor.
The team also welcomed three freshmen to the roster, guard Emma Fohl, and forwards Kalyn Bunch and McKaylah Musselman.
Playing on the road last year was the Achilles’ heel for the Trojans last season, going 4-10 in road games and 0-2 in neutral games–something that will be fixed for this season. Entering her second season as head coach, Cassie Wiseman will once again bring her energy and expertise to the Taylor squad.
“With the schedule that we have, being on the road in the non-conference, that’ll really help being on the road once the Crossroads League starts,” Wiseman said.
Despite their road struggles, Taylor played well protecting their home floor, finishing 8-5 at home last season. They averaged 67.1 points per game, averaging a very respectable 30.7 percent from behind the arc.
The season begins Oct. 25 with a home game vs. Holy Cross at 7 p.m. Crossroads League play will start on Nov. 20 when Taylor will travel to play Saint Francis at 5:30 p.m. Two highlight matchups will be the two matches versus Indiana Wesleyan, first at home on Jan. 8 at 5:30 p.m. and away on Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. The regular season will come to a finish on Feb. 22, a 1 p.m. game at Bethel, before the Crossroads League Tournament starts later on February 26.
Taylor will be attempting to return to the Crossroads League Tournament after falling in the first round last season to the IWU Wildcats.
- Samuel DeVries
Taylor’s men’s basketball team plans to make a not-so-silent start to the 2024-2025 season.
Last year, the Trojans went 11-18 and 5-13 in the conference. Four seniors are returning this year: forward Anton Webb, guard Kobe Funderburk, guard Kaden Fuhrmann, and center Caleb Hodgson. Taylor also welcomes two freshmen to the squad, center Levin Smith and guard Joey Heaston
The most significant change is the addition of head coach Austin Peters, who will be in his first year in a head coaching position at Taylor.
Last season, the Trojans went 6-7 inside Odle Arena, but had trouble on the road, going 2-11. Coach Peters and his team will look to improve on the accomplishments from last season. Taylor’s first two games will be played in Glendale, AZ, giving the Trojans a chance to test themselves early.
“The culture of our team is really important to me. Instilling it every day is what I’m going to bring. I’m excited about the group of guys we have,” Peters said.
Peters spoke about the keys to the team this year. The main points he ingrains in his players center on becoming a tough, smart and unselfish basketball team. His goal is to improve daily, whether from the good or the bad.
As the offseason comes to a close, Peters and the Trojans continue to improve in every aspect of the game. Their first game is on Oct. 25 against the La Sierra Golden Eagles, so the Trojans have their work cut out for them.
With four seniors returning to the program, leadership will be key this season, giving younger players on the roster examples to look up to and follow, while building team chemistry.
“All of our seniors are leaders,” Peters said, “Those are the guys who everybody on the team looks up to. So, our seniors will be expected to lead by example and how they approach and carry themselves every day.”
Already having a few months to get ingrained into the Taylor ecosystem, Peters said he and his family have felt welcomed into the community. He described the great people and school and said the environment is one where everyone is super kind and hospitable.
“I love how this is a Christ-centered and student-focused university. We are just really blessed to be here,” Peters said.
The players themselves were very welcoming to the Peters family. Coach Peters said he was thankful for them and that they’d made the transition so much easier. They were also willing to work hard for him in practice.
While being focused on the upcoming season and what needs to be worked on, Peters is still excited about Silent Night. He spoke about it being an enjoyable and exciting time.
“Obviously, I’ve heard about it,” Peters said, “I’ve seen all the videos going around. I’m pumped to see what it looks like and see all the costumes. It will be crazy. It will be fun. But our goal will be to win.”
Peters and the Trojans will look to start heading towards that goal against La Sierra and Justice College on Oct. 25 and 26. Their first Crossroads League game will be on Nov. 23 where the Trojans will take on Mount Vernon Nazarene at home at 3:00 p.m.
- Chase Petry
