By: Chris Yingling | Co-Editor in Chief
Steals, assists, rebounds and three-pointers returned to Taylor this week as the men's and women's basketball teams prepared for their 2015-16 season.
The women's team (1-1) kicked off the week with a 73-59 loss to Judson on Saturday, followed by a close 71-65 home win against Georgetown on Tuesday.Last year, Taylor posted a 16-15 overall team record with a 9-9 record in Crossroads League play. The record was good for sixth in the Crossroads League, but Taylor was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs against Marian.
While Taylor only said goodbye to three seniors, the losses may cause a change in philosophy for the Trojans. The departure of last year's rebounding leader and second-leading scorer Jackie Osenbaugh ('15) requires the team to make a change on the offensive side of the floor. Head coach Kelly Packard sees her team aiming for a five-out offense that looks for the perimeter shot instead of battling in the paint.
"We're playing away from the bucket a little bit this year," Packard said. "You'll see our forwards taking more perimeter shots, which is definitely different than our philosophy last year."
Taylor brings back sophomore scoring-leader Cassidy Wyse to the frontcourt. Though injured recently, Wyse anticipates getting back into the starting lineup by the team's next game this evening.
"I played half a game Tuesday, I've practiced all day Thursday, I should be starting Friday," Wyse said. "Not sure where I'll fit into the starting lineup just yet, but I'll be out there."
Along with Wyse, Taylor brings back senior veteran forward Monica Compton, who is returning from an injury that kept her off the court last year. Compton, while a shooting threat on the outside, brings a presence to the paint.
To round out the starting lineup, sophomore Josie Cobb and senior Emma Brattain patrol the frontcourt while senior forward Taylor Degenkolb will be on the wing.
Freshman forward Kendall Bradbury has started both games for the Trojans for a 20.5 point-per-game average. Look for her to work her way into the starting lineup as the season progresses. Packard also spoke highly of freshman guard Aubrey Wright for her defensive presence and shooting ability.
The women take on Indiana Institute of Technology tonight at 7 p.m. in Odle arena.
Taylor's men's team has yet to begin its season but have been able to gain some experience from a scrimmage against Concordia and a 44-79 exhibition loss against NCAA D1 No. 22 Butler.
Led by head coach Josh Andrews, the men's team looks to improve on a disappointing 13-17 overall record. While Taylor's non-conference record of 9-3 was impressive, the 4-14 Crossroads League record led to the team's elimination from the tournament.
The Trojans lose three starters from last season with the exit of 2015 alumni Jesse Coffey, Ian Dutcher and Darayl Jordan. However, Andrews feels confident in the young players filling the shoes of the leaving graduates.
Taylor's frontcourt will feature sophomore Tim Fleming, senior scoring leader Kyle Stidom and senior Shakir Dunning. Silent Night hero sophomore Keaton Hendricks will man the forward spot while redshirt freshman Vivian Aiken will be the team's center. Senior guard Jordan Richardson and junior forward Lane Vander Hulst will provide depth off the bench.
"That is a defensive lineup for us," Andrews said. "It's no secret that Hendricks and Stidom are our scoring guys, but (Fleming, Dunning and Aiken) create defense for us. And Aiken, he's a shot-alterer, rebounder and a strong interior defender."
With the change in offensive presence, Andrews looks to have a more spread-out offense designed around spacing the floor and creating shots for teammates using screens and motion. He cited the negative assist/turnover ratio from last season as a reason that his team lost as many games as they did.
"We didn't run a high-assist offense last year," Andrews said. "It was an offense centered around guys creating their own shots, putting it in the hands of our playmakers and using the shot clock."
Taylor is taking a three-guard approach this season along with a forward and center. This varies from the two-guard, three-forward setup from last season.
As the opener approaches, Stidom sees a promising season ahead as Taylor looks to take down the giants of the Crossroads League.
"When we didn't make the tournament last year, there were guys in the gym the next day working and getting better," Stidom said. "We're hungry and we're motivated to get back there. Everyone is buying into what (Andrews) is selling, and we're ready to get back to winning basketball games."
Taylor takes on Asbury on the road in their season opener as a part of the Rio Grande Tournament in Ohio at 6 p.m. They return to open the home slate against Miami University-Hamilton at 3 p.m. on Nov. 14.
Photograph provided by Jim Garringer
