Playoffs. That is the word in the back of the mind for the Taylor women’s basketball team.
They have one game remaining, in a win-or-go-home matchup at St. Francis They wrapped up their previous game on Feb. 21, dropping an 85-82 victory, despite 35 points from freshman guard Kaycie Warfel.
Kaycie, one of the two Warfel sisters on the team, plays alongside her sister Whitney, a junior forward.
The younger Warfel played a big role for the Trojans, scoring a team-leading 24 points per game.
Coach Wiseman praised the star guard.
“She is really athletic and scores the ball in bunches,” Wiseman said. “She has a really quick first step and just knows how to get to the rim.”
Kaycie Warfel played a key factor in the Trojans' 17-11 record. The team defended its Upland court well, posting a 10-4 home record.
Sophomore forward Celina Blount broke the TU single-season block record on Jan. 24 against Grace. She also rebounded her 60th board, making history in the program again. She averages 7 points and 7 boards a game.
Another standout player is freshman forward Marissa Trout. She has started for the Trojans in the home stretch of the season. The bread and butter of her game is her 3-point shot. She shoots just over 40 percent from three point range, which is the best mark by any player who has started.
Senior guard Quinn Kelly carried one moment from this season with her. This moment came in late December with Taylor’s 66-62 win over Indiana Tech.
“We were definitely picked to lose that game, but somehow found a way to come out on top, and that was one of our first ranked teams we’ve beaten,” she said.
Coach Wiseman described the game as a turning point for the Trojans. The team made adjustments and played defense down the stretch to earn the win.
Taylor spent a portion of the winter break in Arizona competing. They won both of their two games.
They opened up their trip with a 68-50 victory over Ottawa and a 70-57 win over Arizona Christian. Kelly carried high praise for the team's grit for battling back no matter the score. They faced a deficit throughout the game but came back to earn the victory.
“We always find a way to keep competing,” Kelly said .
While the team played a few games, they also spent a lot of time in nature. Coach Wiseman labeled the Arizona trip as one of her favorite moments from the season.
“It was just beautiful to be in God’s creation and bond as a team,” she said.
Kelly cherished this trip not only for basketball but also for getting to hike and do devotions with her team.
“God has brought us all together for a certain reason, and that has just been amazing,” Kelly said.
Playoffs are approaching, with the Crossroads League Tournament Quarterfinals kicking off on Feb. 24. Freshman guard Madi Allen highlighted discipline as a key part of the postseason.
With a young, talented roster, the team looks to maintain discipline throughout the playoffs. Allen said she believes getting 100 percent effort every time this team steps on the court is important, whether that is in practice or an elimination game.
Coach Wiseman is confident in her squad, as they approach one game at a time.
“We just gotta keep working hard and getting better every day,” Wiseman said.
The Trojans head into the postseason with grit and a determination to play until the clock hits zero.
