Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Kass Taylor
School: California
Year: Sophomore
Sport: Basketball
Taylor’s week: The versatile 6-4 forward scored 18 points in a 56-31 victory over Avella Tuesday and led the Trojans to another Section 3-A victory, over Geibel, by scoring a game-high 22 points, grabbing six rebounds and making all four attempts from three-point range.
“All of my teammates got me going. I caught fire and those guys really help me out,” Taylor said. “We are playing so good together this year. I have high expectations for us.”
Coming along: Taylor entered his first varsity season as a raw prospect who immediately caught head coach Bruno Pappasergi’s attention. A 6-4 freshman who can slash to the rim or score from the outside, Taylor has outstanding potential, but Pappasergi eased him into the lineup.
The Trojans’ coach did not want his 14-year-old forward to get discouraged by the faster pace of WPIAL basketball.
The results are impressive. Taylor is averaging 17.1 points per game for California (3-0, 6-1) and is a key component in a defense that has allowed the fewest points in Class A.
“Kass has really developed into quite a player,” Pappasergi said. “He has worked very hard over the summer time, especially on his shot. We always knew he was a slashing type of player, but he also wanted to be able to work from the outside. He worked on his shot every day and it showed against Geibel.”
Pairing with senior guard Tray Matthews, Taylor is thriving in California’s offense that has a controlled tempo and emphasizes high-percentage shots. Matthews is the team’s leader while Taylor creates a matchup nightmare for opponents.
“Since I could shoot from the outside, it helps me to be able to open things up.” Taylor said. “With Tray being an outside shooter too, it opens everything up.”
Fast start: California did not win its sixth game last season until Jan. 23. The growing pains experienced in that 10-13 season, which featured an appearance in the WPIAL Class AA playoffs, seasoned an athletic lineup that is set for a breakout year in Class A.
Despite starting at least three sophomores, the Trojans are not playing like a young team and already have six wins.
“Tray keeps us all together and Kass’ development has teams concentrating on him, so that leaves Tray or other players open,” Pappasergi said. “All of the other kids are stepping up to do the job we expect them to do. They are gaining confidence off of Tray and Kass.”
Taylor has always been “the tall kid.” It was nothing new facing smaller competition, and opponents are having a tough time guarding both him and Matthews.
“Our coach is always able to mix things up ,so if they put a small player on me, I can just take them to the hole,” Taylor said. “If they put a bigger guy on me, I can take it to the outside.”
Compiled by Lance Lysowski