By Matt Browning
There are several layers to the role of Heights senior point guard Taylor Jameson.
First, she is the veteran leader, who has played varsity for four seasons and has guided the Falcons to win totals of 12, 14 and 20. “I want to be remembered for being strong-minded and not letting anything get to me,” Jameson said. “Be strong as a player and a person.”
Second, Jameson is the coach on the floor, as Heights coach Ken Palmer called it. Whether it is in practice or in a game, Jameson knows exactly what Palmer expects and she consistently communicates those expectations to her teammates.
“Being a four-year starter for me, Taylor understands what I expect and what I want,” Palmer said. “I can trust Taylor to get things started at practice or when to lead the younger girls.”
And finally, Jameson is a mentor for the young and talented Falcons, who entered press time 10-0 and ranked No. 4 in Class 6A in the KBCA rankings. “A lot of our talent is young, so I have tried to be a mentor for them,” Jameson said. “I tried to use their games to mold my own game.”
There has been no resistance for Jameson and the Falcons thus far. Their scoring margin is 38.6 and they have scored 60 points or more four times.
Jameson averages eight points, four assists and nearly four steals per game, while shooting 100 percent from the free throw line. “She is a high IQ basketball player; she knows how the game goes,” Palmer said. “As a point guard, she knows how to pass the ball around, but she also understands when I want her to score.”
The recruiting process for Jameson was not exactly an easy one, as colleges did not take notice of her game until last summer. But once they saw her game, it became more competitive.
Jameson ultimately chose George Mason, which instantly clicked with her and her family. “It felt like a home away from home,” Jameson said. “If you are going to go far away, you want to feel like you are still at home.
“I also liked the way Coach (Nyla) Milleson instructed her team. She laid out a plan for me and I really liked what she had to say.”
The Falcons have a rich history in girls basketball, winning seven state championships. But it has been eight years since they last won a title, which is something Jameson said they are focused on this season.
Last season, they lost to Kansas City Schlagle in the opening round of the Class 5A Tournament. “A successful season for us is winning a state championship,” Jameson said. “And nothing less.”
Palmer agreed with Jameson’s assessment of the season. “Taylor is on her way out,” Palmer said. “She wants to get us a state title.”
