Pine Grove’s Taylor Fletcher is our 2018-2019 female student-athlete of the year

In a class full of deserving female student athletes, when determing the female student athlete of the year, one characteristic of Pine Grove’s Taylor Fletcher stood out: the “heart of a champion.”

The three time back to back to back state champion Fletcher exhibited that as she was a key cog for the Lady Panthers. But it wasn’t just on the court she excelled.

She was a top finisher in the state cross country meet and took home a silver medal in the 4×800 state track meet. In basketball, she was a multi year all county player, all division and All State. Earlier this year, she competed in the MS/AL All star game.

But on the hardwood the Northwest Community College signee shined by playing whatever role coach Katie Bates and the Lady Panthers needed.

“She is a coach’s dream. She saw what she wanted to be, knew the areas that needed work and the strides it was going to take and she did it, no complaints, ” Coach Bates said of her departing player. “She made the sacrifices and did the work. She is as great of a kid off the court as she is on the court. She is everything we want someone to be when they are a part of this program. I have been so blessed to not only coach her but to know her and be around her daily. She will be greatly missed by me and all of Pine Grove.”

Fletcher has left a mark on the athletics program at her school, in this community and to the numerous little girls who want to grow up to be a Lady Panther just from watching her play. For those reasons, she is this years Female Student Athlete of the Year.