Taylor-made recruit for SAGU hoops

Point Guard Taylor Hill signs

Waxahachie H.S. standout inks with Lady Lions

WAXAHACHIE, Texas -- Surrounded by relatives and well-wishers, Taylor Hill signed her national letter of intent on Wednesday to enroll and play basketball this fall at Southwestern Assemblies of God University.

After playing her prep career at crosstown Waxahachie High School and, coupled with her mom's employment at SAGU, the decision to don the purple and gold was as easy as biting a dentist.

The signing ceremony took place in the lobby of the Sheaffer Center also drew photographers, local media and her high school coach. Amid the fanfare, Hill was as contented as an infant smiling through its dreams.

“I’m so excited,” she said after making things official. “There is so much to like here! Plus, getting to play basketball so close to home makes it even greater!”

Born in Ennis, Taylor Jordan Hill has not ventured far from home unless it involved basketball.

“The players here (SAGU) have welcomed me so warmly and I really like Coach (Arlon) Beadles,” she added.

The 5-foot-7 guard was humbled and filled with “aw shucks” as though receiving praise at a family reunion.

Don’t let her graceful demeanor fool you. Like a swan, while smooth on the surface, she’s paddling like crazy under the surface!

They Said It:  Coaches Priebe, Beadles

“She is incredibly aggressive,” said Lesli Priebe, who has been the head coach at Waxahachie High for 17 years. “Her work ethic is a coach’s dream. Whether she is distributing the ball, taking it to the rack or shooting, she is assertive on both ends of the floor.”

Priebe (PREE-bee), who played ball at South Garland H.S. and UT-Arlington, added that Hill’s biggest improvement between her junior and senior seasons was her defense.

“She played varsity here (WHS) since her sophomore season, and was our captain as a junior and a senior.”

The Running Indians went 20-9 this past season, including 13-3 in district* (Class 4A) action, where they finished second to West Mesquite (26-7, 16-0).

“With Taylor, you know what you’re getting from the start,” the coach continued. “She led by example, was an honor student and is a character person.”

Hill was an All-District First Team performer for the Lady Indians as a senior when she averaged 11.3 points per game and 3.5 assists. She had a season-high 10 assists in one game and also ripped the nets with 58 three-point baskets.

“We are very happy to have her attending Southwestern and playing for the Lady Lions,” said Coach Beadles. “I believe she will make an immediate impact. Taylor’s skills will certainly help us.”

Beadles will be entering his eighth season at SAGU this fall. The veteran coach, who has led teams at every level except the pro's, has 197 college wins. He should celebrate his 200th in November or December. 

About the Purple Pride

Southwestern finished a rebuilding season last year, at 10-21. They averaged 24 wins over the previous three campaigns, qualifying for the NAIA national tournament once and taking third in the nation in the NCCAA tourney in 2011.

The Lady Lions have appeared in the national coaches poll and consistently rank among the NAIA's Top 20 in defensive categories.

SAGU competes in the Red River Athletic Conference, which has 15 member schools in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Louisiana. For more information on the RRAC, visit www.redriverconference.com.

Southwestern enjoys dual membership in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA).

SAGU fields eight college varsity teams in football, volleyball, men's and women's soccer, baseball and softball; four men's and four women's.

The Lady Lions broadcast most of their home games on the internet and are the only school in the 300-member NAIA to do so in HD.

The SAGU Sports Network also produces football and volleyball home games for the Lions and continue to expand their coverage.

Hill has been recruited to play at point guard, though she is also very comfortable at the two-guard position.

She is at her best while in transition. “I love to push the ball upcourt,” she says. The ambidextrous Hill listed Steve Nash for a model, though, with her middle name she could easily cited another all-time great who answers to ‘Jordan.’

Her parents; Mrs. Kelli Hill, is the director of the new Garrison Student Recreation Center at SAGU, and, along with her dad, David, are avid sports fans.

She has three brothers; Justin (28), Jason (26) and Morgan (17), and one sister - Jamie (24). The eldest trio are all college graduates.

Contact: Mark “Link” Warde, SAGU Sports Information Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or at 469-658-2847.

*Waxahachie is in the same Class 4A district as Corsicana, Ennis, Lancaster, Mesquite Poteet, Red Oak, Terrell and West Mesquite.