Girls Basketball: Griffith’s Austin more than a great runner

Without question, Griffith’s Taylor Austin is among the top cross country runners in the state.

The junior finished 24th at the IHSAA State Cross Country Meet and earned All-State recognition.

The talented and personable Austin isn’t too shabby at track, either. What some individuals might not realize, though, is the 5-foot-8 forward has quickly become a formidable basketball player, too.

“She’s been a very integral part of our success this season — they’re all integral — but without Taylor’s contributions and the way she’s played for us, we wouldn’t be where we are right now,” Griffith coach Tom Golumbeck said.

Where the Panthers (18-6) are right now — after winning their fourth straight Class 3A Sectional title following a 35-19 pounding of Hammond last Saturday night — is preparing for their Rensselaer Regional game against South Bend St. Joseph’s (17-6) on Saturday.

“It feels great to win another sectional and get this far, and I really do want us to move on,” said Austin, who sustained a bloody nose against Hammond and was forced to leave the game to change her blood-stained shorts after teammate Alyssa Gebo’s hand accidentally caught her in the nose.

“We were getting the same rebound,” Austin said. “She didn’t see me and hit me with her wrist right in the nose. I’ve never had a bloody nose before in sports until this year. That’s two times now — and both times because of Alyssa. She hit my nose with her head in practice once, too. My teammates joke about it a lot. They say they’re going to buy me a facemask now. Alyssa says she’ll buy me one for my birthday.”

Austin returned to the game in time to help the Panthers go on a 15-0 run to close out the game and turn a tenuous one-point lead into a runaway victory.

“I just really wanted to get back in the game and play,” she said.

“We weren’t playing like we normally do. I just wanted to get in there, pump up my team, and try and get them going.”

Austin finished the game with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

“When Taylor came back in, she was more aggressive,” Golumbeck said. “She brings a lot of energy. She loves to compete. She’s a very good rebounder and defensive player. She’s very active, which fits our style of defense.”

Austin usually guards the opposition’s post player, along with Gebo. Her length, with those long arms and legs — makes her difficult for offensive players to contend with.

“Her length helps her,” Golumbeck said. “She’s a good athlete. She’s in such good shape. She doesn’t get too tired. She can beat most post players to the ball because she’s so much quicker than they are.”

Austin also leads the team in rebounding, collecting just under seven per game.

“I like getting rebounds,” she said. “That’s my thing. That’s what I like to do. I just like to go get the ball and either pull it back out, or go right back up with it.”

Austin plays a key role in Griffith’s halfcourt trap, too.

“I love playing the top of it,” she said. “It’s a good feeling to know you’ve done something to make the other team mess up. It’s fun to scare them and watch ‘em panic by getting after them. Brooke (Brinkley), Emma (Blackard), and me, trap them when they throw the ball to the corners. It usually causes a turnover, because one of our teammates usually ends up grabbing it.”

Austin’s offensive game is still evolving. Golumbeck said she’s improved quite a bit since last season when she didn’t accumulate much playing time.

“She played a little bit in the sectional and regional last year,” he said. “She’s matured a lot and is a lot more confident. We’ve worked with her on her shooting and she’s improved quite a bit, especially from 8 to 10 feet. She’s getting better at attacking the basket. We’re working on that, too.”

The thing Austin likes best about this season — besides winning — is the feeling she gets from contributing.

“I feel really good knowing that I play a lot and I’m actually part of the team,” she said. “Last year, I really didn’t get to do that much.

This year, I’m doing things that help my team win. We really can’t wait for the regional. We’re excited for it to be here already. We really don’t want to have to wait until Saturday.

“I think we can move on if we just continue to work hard and play like a team — the way we did against Bowman (Academy) and Roosevelt.”

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