As the Lady Pioneers continue to search for wins on the court, they’ll have to do so without the services of their leading scorer Bri Taylor. The senior stepped away from the program over the weekend, citing treatment from first-year coach Kyle Turnham as the reason she will no longer pursue playing basketball for Warren County.
Taylor was the team’s leading scorer and rebounder this year, including a 13-point performance in a home win over Siegel and a seven-point, nine-rebound performance in the team’s season opening win over Walker Valley.
In a text sent by the Taylor family to WCHS administration and coach Turnham (and later shared with the Standard), the family states: “Brianna has decided to leave the basketball team due to the constant mistreatment, derogatory comments (and) the humiliating and inappropriate behavior coming from Turnham. She endured all of this last year and was hoping this new staff would change the behaviors, but – if anything – it has gotten worse.
“She has been in tears after every practice and game and it’s infuriating that a grown man has the nerve to call a child stupid and make her question everything she does. That’s not coaching: That’s straight up bullying and we are standing behind (her decision) 100 percent.”
WCHS administration and Turnham were contacted for comment on Taylor’s status with the program. Principal Chris Hobbs responded, “Bri has chosen to no longer be a part of the team. We wish her the best moving forward. The dad communicated via text and we responded attempting to answer his questions.”
This marks the second straight year the program had a senior receiving college interest not finish out her career as a Lady Pioneers. Sable Winfree, a three-time, all-district honoree, was dismissed after one game last year by then coach Mendy Stotts.
Taylor starred on last year’s squad, emerging as the team’s leader in points and rebounds during a five-win campaign. She had resumed her role as the team’s go-to scorer this winter, but over holiday break was demoted from the starting lineup as Turnham shook up things in hopes of finding energy amid a losing streak.
Taylor came off the bench at home last Friday in a 68-44 loss to Stewarts Creek and did not score for the first time this season. She decided over the weekend to step away from the program and was not on the bench Monday during Warren County’s 65-33 loss at White County.
Warren County started district play Thursday night at home against Columbia with hopes of snapping a seven-game losing streak. See Sunday’s edition for more details.
