South Lakes junior guard Taylor Cole has been recognized with an honorable mention in the Concorde District for the 2024-25 girls’ basketball season. A varsity player since her freshman year, Cole is known for her aggressive defense and her ability to drive to the basket, using her quickness, intensity, and basketball IQ to shut down her opponents, making her an important part of the Seahawks lineup.
South Lakes faced tough competition this season, making it hard for players to gain district-wide recognition. However, Cole’s defensive intensity and aggressive drives to the hoop helped her stand out. Whether it was applying pressure on opposing guards or creating scoring opportunities, she consistently made an impact for the Seahawks.
“Earning Honorable Mention in such a competitive district means a lot to me and it gives me a lot of motivation and confidence in my game,” Cole shared. “Even though we struggled this season, I just kept working and trying to make plays for my team.”
She credits much of her motivation to her family and the adults in her school, who kept encouraging her. “They told me just to keep pushing and keep playing as hard as I could. They reminded me that the game is supposed to be fun and to leave it all on the court,” she said.
Cole is known for her defensive skill and hustle, and she takes pride in those aspects of her game. “I take pride in mostly my defense and hustle,” Cole said. “I tell myself before every game, ‘you have to want it.’ Every loose ball and every rebound I work for. Hustle is not something that can be taught—you have to have the heart for it.”
She wasn’t the only Seahawk recognized, Kassidy Arnold earned a spot on the All-Defensive Team, while senior Kaila Ketelhut was recognized with Second Team All-District, showing the talent on the roster even with the team’s struggles.
Playing varsity since her freshman year has helped Cole evolve as both a player and a leader. “Playing varsity as a freshman has helped me learn how to be a leader,” she said. “I was the youngest on my team freshman and sophomore year, so I had people to look up to. This year, I was one of the oldest players, so I had to take on a leadership role, which I wasn’t used to. But it was easier to take on that role because I learned from seniors my freshman and sophomore years.”
With her senior year approaching, Cole has set clear goals for both herself and the team. “With my senior year coming up, my goals for us as a team are to develop more skill-wise and to learn,” she said. “My personal goals are to improve my all-around game and develop my leadership role since I will be the only senior.”
With one more season ahead, Cole is determined to continue improving and help lead South Lakes to a stronger year. “Next season, I want to take my game to another level and help us win more games,” she said. “I know we have the potential to do that.”
