New Season, New Ways

It was a less than ideal situation. Coming off of two years of improvement, Saints senior guard Eric Taylor wanted to do was continue to raise the bar for a third season.  

After his first two years in the Saints uniform, the 6’2” guard from Ballard High School had improved in nearly every offensive category. As a true freshman he averaged a little over two points per game. The following year he doubled his scoring and was averaging over four points per outing. But it wasn’t just his scoring that had improved. He also got new season highs in field goal percentage, assists, steals, rebounds, while also averaging five more minutes per game. 

(photo courtesy of Aric Becker)

“I knew I was capable of playing at this level. I just hadn’t shown that yet,” Taylor said. 

Going into his junior year, Taylor still had the desire to improve and show what he was capable of on the court. After a few exhibition games against Division I Southern Utah University and cross-town rival Evergreen, it was off to Hawaii for the annual Great Northwest Athletic Conference versus Pacific West Conference Challenge. Although the Saints came back empty handed from the trip, it was a great experience for the team. 

“I felt like the team came back from Hawaii as a much tighter group. We bonded over there like no other team I had ever been a part of.” 

Over the next five games the team went 2-3 and had some real ups and downs. But the following game is where the season changed for Taylor. At a home game against Willamette University, Taylor went up for a fast break lay in mid-way through the first half. After missing the contested shot, he landed awkwardly on his left leg. Once the play had stopped, he came out of the game to be looked at by the trainers. Initially, he thought he could return to the game in the second half. Then after playing for a few minutes, he knew something wasn’t right. When the pain didn’t subside after a few days, Taylor scheduled an MRI for his knee. 

When the results came back with a grade-two knee sprain, the doctors told him he would be out for the rest of the year and be required to wear a brace for six weeks. To make matters worse, Taylor had played in two too many games to redshirt; ultimately missing his entire junior season.

“I was devastated I had to be out for the rest of the year,” Taylor stated. 

“Losing Eric really hurt us because of the scoring he gives us off the bench,” head coach Keith Cooper added. “With him out, it changed the whole dynamic of the team.”

With Taylor out, this meant that I had the opportunity to partially step into his role and play the backup point guard position. For me this was one of the most bittersweet situations that could ever happen. Sure I was excited to get to play more and have the opportunity to play against some of the best players in the conference, but Taylor and I have been great friends since the day I met him our freshman year in the dorms. Not to mention, he is one of my best friends and one my roommates as well. 

(photo courtesy of Kim Karnofski)

I will say that while he was out, Taylor was my biggest supporter at games, practices, and back in the dorms. During games we would always talk about what we would see and certain plays we thought would work. Even when we were on the road, he would sometimes text me during the game so that it was waiting for me afterwards. Although he was out, he was a great teammate who was willing to cheer on the rest of the guys. 

With his junior season now in the books, Taylor decided to do something different to get himself ready for next year. He worked on his mental game. 

“I took the time to get my mind right and focus on my outlook towards life. I started reading a lot of books that talked about how to change my thinking and how to think more positively,” indicated Taylor. 

While also working on that, he began cracking down on his school work as well, earning himself a spot on the schools Dean’s List. 

But once the school year was done, Taylor rededicated himself to the gym. Over the summer he was lucky enough to earn two internships with personal trainers. This meant he had the ability to work out for free. So, for six weeks, Taylor began working out two to three times a day, five days a week. Or, as Taylor put it, “My confidence was at an all-time high coming into this year both mentally and physically.”  

After having a solid fall, Taylor was playing at high level. His extra effort in the off season had begun to show and it was paying big dividends for him out on the court. 

(photo courtesy Steve Herppich)

“I wanted to prove to everyone the type of player I know I am. I wanted to play better this season and change the course of my career,” Taylor said. 

That is exactly what he has done. Going into the Seattle Pacific game last night, Taylor was averaging 10.4 points per game, good for second on the team, while also leading the GNAC in three point field goal percentage at 50% on the year. But it isn’t his on the court actions that have grown over the last few years. 

“As Eric’s game has matured on the court, he has also matured as a person and as student as well,” Cooper added. “He is one of the most fun kids I have ever had the opportunity to coach on a daily basis. He’s a good kid and a good teammate.”

With one home game left in his final season as a Saint, Taylor, who will graduate this spring with a degree in biology, is thankful for the opportunity he has had while at Saint Martin’s.

“I have had a lot of good memories at Saint Martin’s and I want to thank everyone that has made this experience so special.” 

And you know what Eric, we’re happy we had the opportunity to share it with you; especially myself. 

Senior Night is tomorrow night at Marcus Pavilion as the Saints take on Montana State-Billings at 7 pm. SMU will honor Taylor along with fellow seniors Brady Bomber and Roger O'Neill before the game.

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