Lady Bobcats add Taylor Bethune to recruiting haul
Over the past 10 seasons of Georgia Northwestern basketball, several former Trion Bulldogs have suited up for the local college program.
Conversely, the Lady Bobcats have never had a former Trion Lady Bulldog in uniform for a game, but all that will change next season.
Taylor Bethune, a versatile 5-foot-7 shooting guard, signed her name on the dotted line this past Friday to become the newest member of the Lady Bobcat family.
“I’m very excited and very blessed to be given this opportunity,” Bethune said. “It’s going to be a home town experience and that’s going to be exciting as well.”
“It’s crazy to think that Taylor will be the first female basketball player from Trion that will put on a uniform for us, considering we’ve had so many guys from Trion suit up for us in the past,” Georgia Northwestern head coach David Stephenson said. “I’m super excited about her. First of all, she’s left-handed, which already means a lot to me, and she’s a super kid. In the workouts we’ve had with her, she’s shown that she’s a slasher.
“I’m hoping that this is the start of another door opening for us with a girls’ program at another local high school. (Trion head) Coach (Lester) Galyon has been great as far as working with us. I know she’ll have the basic fundamentals down and we’re excited to have her.”
Galyon, who coached Bethune for the last two seasons at Trion, said he believes that she will play some of her best basketball at the next level.
“She’s was in a new system for us here at Trion, but she got better as the season progressed,” he explained. “She has some skills as far as being able to get up and down the floor. She’s a good shooter and she’s a lefty, which is always a good thing. I think she fits in a system where she will be able to use her speed and athleticism and knock down some outside shots.
“I’m also excited because when you’re a coach, it’s nice to be able to go see your (former) players play at the next level. Georgia Northwestern is close by and I can get there on weeknights without any problems, so I’m looking forward to that.”
Bethune also said she enjoyed how GNTC was close to home.
“I like it because I can still visit with family and friends,” she added. “Plus, Coach Stephenson really had an impact on me from the first time he talked to me about coming here. Hopefully I can bring a lot of speed and aggressiveness to the team.”
Bethune said she plans to major in Early Childhood Education.