Former Laker Taylor hired as women’s basketball assistant at Newberry

Three-year starter paced Clayton State to first Peach Belt title and NCAA berth in 2004-05

MORROW, Ga. --- AUGUST 11, 2006 --- April Taylor, who was instrumental in leading the Clayton State women’s basketball team to both its first Peach Belt Conference championship and NCAA Division II National Tournament berth in the 2004-05 season, has been hired this week as an assistant at rival Newberry in the South Atlantic Conference. Taylor will work alongside Lady Indian head coach Jason Brink, who has paced Newberry to two consecutive NCAA Division II National Tournament berths.

Taylor served this past season as a student assistant at Clayton State under head coach Dennis Cox, helping lead the Lakers to their second straight NCAA Division II National Tournament berth.

“We’re very excited for April and the opportunity she is receiving at Newberry,” said Cox. “She has been an extremely important part of our women’s basketball family and has contributed greatly to our program as both a player and a coach. We wish her the best and look forward to her continued growth as a women’s basketball coach.”

Taylor was a three-year starter at Clayton State. The Memphis, Tenn., native transferred to Clayton State following her freshman season at Georgia State in 2001-02 season. She started all but three games over the next three seasons for the Lakers.

The 6-foot-1 forward averaged seven points and five rebounds as a sophomore and eight points and six rebounds as a junior. During her senior season, however, Taylor stepped up, averaging nine points a seven rebounds a contest as Clayton State finished 25-7 overall and won the Peach Belt Conference regular season and tournament championships. In addition, the Lakers advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division II National Tournament in their first ever appearance.