FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Carson Taylor, Greencastle

Carson is a senior at Greencastle and participates in one sport, basketball.

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Banner Graphic: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them?

Carson Taylor: “I’ve learned leadership through sports and how to be a good teammate and to work with others.”

BG: Talk about basketball.

CT: “Coach Rector put together a good program and I was lucky enough to be a part of it for four years. I’ve really enjoyed it. Coach made it feel more like a family than going to a job because you did it every day with your family.”

BG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in sports?

CT: “We had a scrimmage against Shakamak this year and I shot a corner three that hit the top of the backboard in front of my teammates and coaches. They gave me a hard time for that.”

BG: What does your game day routine look like?

CT: “I wake up, try to stay hydrated as much as possible throughout the day and eat a banana and granola bar before the game.”

BG: Not everyone sticks it out as a four-year player when playing time isn’t always available but you did so for Greencastle. How did you handle being in the role that you had?

CT: “I found my role in being a leader for the team this year. We had a lot of young talent this year and being able to help them with anything they needed, answering questions about high school basketball and being able to help them was my aim.”

BG: Do you have any favorite college/pro sports teams or athletes you follow?

CT: “I’m a big Purdue guy. I’m going to watch them throughout the NCAA tournament and hopefully they will win the national title.”

BG: What else do you do at school besides things involving sports?

CT: “I TA at the middle school and am in Teacher Education at Area 30. I also do 4-H and show rabbits.”

BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?

CT: “I’m really into sports, so I’ll go play tennis or anything that allows me to be outside and playing.”

BG: What are your favorites in movies, books, TV and music?

CT: “Music-wise, I like hip hop music and classic rock. I like action movies or classic movies that my dad has shown me.”

BG: Are you a person that wants to watch TV shows and movies, stream something from YouTube, Twitch, TikTok etc. or something else (gaming, reading, etc.)?

CT: “I’d probably hop on my Xbox and play Madden or NBA 23K. I like sports in general so I try to play sports games. MLB The Show is also fun.”

BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?

CT: “Skydiving. It would be something to get me out of my shell and pretty cool to say I’ve done it.”

BG: What is your biggest fear?

CT: “Heights.”

BG: You’ve been placed in charge of making dinner. What’s on the menu?

CT: “Grilled cheese.”

BG: Do you have any pets?

CT: “I have a dog, Pete, named after Purdue Pete, as well as rabbits.”

BG: If your house were on fire, all living things were already out and you have your keys, cell phone, wallet/purse etc., what is one thing you would go back and get?

CT: “Probably a scrap book that my mom made me for basketball.”

BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?

CT: “Friendly. I get along with everybody and people gravitate toward me. I don’t have problems with anyone.”

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

CT: “I went to Alaska in the fifth grade. It was beautiful. We went whale watching, zip lining through the trees. It was my favorite trip of all time.”

BG: What was your favorite school field trip?

CT: “Recently, I went with the seventh grade when they went ice skating. It was fun to watch them try to skate, or more like glide around on the ice.”

BG: How important is support from your family and classmates to your success?

CT: “Support from my family is what has kept me in basketball for four years. My dad is on the basketball committee and he let me know that, no matter the playing time, it’s about what you get out and put into it. Basketball has been one of the most important things in my life, character-building wise. I didn’t play a lot but I love the guys and the environment around it.”

BG: Describe your overall school experience both academically and athletically.

CT: “My academic career is about the same as my athletic career: very average. I’m decent in class but not top of my class in everything. I’m there to get everything done and be the best student I can be.”

BG: If your school was to offer a class it currently doesn’t, what would you want to see taught?

CT: “Real-life match. Things like finances and doing taxes. People want math they can actually use outside of school.”

BG: What are your plans for after high school, and what career are you headed toward?

CT: “I will attend Marian University. My goal is to teach and coach, maybe be an athletic director. I love sports and want to be around as much as I can.”

BG: Is it difficult to keep up with your school work being an athlete?

CT: “You just have to be on top of it. Athletics comes first. If you have an F in a class, you can’t play sports so you have to stay on top of stuff.”

BG: Which particular classes and teachers have helped you the most in high school?

CT: “This year, psychology with Diana Myers. It’s good to have a class where you can go in her room and be myself. She’s not as strict as others but does makes sure we’re getting our stuff done. It’s nice to have a teacher you can come in and talk to.”

BG: In the future, once you’ve established yourself, if you had your choice, would you want to live somewhere more remote, such as in the mountains or the countryside, somewhere more flashy like down on the beach or in the big city or in the neighborhood?

CT: “A more remote area with a ranch-type house in the country where I could have my family.”

BG: Do you think high school has gone fast, and are you going to miss it?

CT: “High school has gone fast for sure. It feels like I was a freshman three days ago. I’m going to miss and not miss things. There are better things coming. I’m going to explore myself and my career path in college and find more things to be involved with. It’s bittersweet; I’m going to miss some things but it’s bound to happen, so you have to live with it.”