Franklin – Coach Audrey Taylor

Journal
October 12, 2024

Morning Reflections

Waking up to a text from a former player, telling you how much you’ve impacted their life, is one of,...

Passion 4 Youth
February 28, 2024

Ballin’ In the Park ‘the alley’ pickup league

Growing up, some of my fondest memories were made at ‘the alley,’ the park across the street from my grandmother’s,...

Coaching Journal

The Lady Behind the Photo

Embrace your passion, own your strength, and defy the stereotypes.

- Coaching, Journal
- June 30, 2025
While the Community Celebrated, I Was Learning to Breathe Again

I’ve never really spoken about this out loud. I’ve carried it quietly. Prayed through it. Worked through it. And in some ways, I’m still working through it. But I believe it’s time. I remember the season my life turned sideways, the world kept spinning — but I stood still. It started August 2018.My father passed away.He was my guy. My sideline presence. The man who never missed a game, even if he was running between two homes and juggling his own life. I used to look for him in the bleachers before every tip-off — and he was always there. Always cheering, even on my worst days. That’s the way he loved me. But life didn’t slow down. Basketball fall league had started, and I leaned in, because the gym was always my safe haven. We started the season, set our goal to get back to Tournament of Champions and win. We were deep in the middle of the season. My girls were focused, determined, still nursing the sting of the previous year’s loss in the TOC finals. We set high standards in practices, treated every game like it was win or go home— but then the tragic loss of,...
- Passion 4 Youth
- September 16, 2022
Inspire. Believe. Lead.

I BELIEVE I’m here to teach the game of basketball and that will never change. I am a mentor, passionate leader and coach whom is dedicated to giving back.
- Journal
- March 21, 2023
Court Angles, Life Lessons: Mastering the Pivot Points of Success

It was just another day at the gym, nothing special. But as I shot hoops, a familiar frustration lingered from my last game. That’s when Coach Nickleberry strolled onto the court, chatting me up as he snagged rebounds. “Nice moves, but what’s your plan when they shut you down? Ever thought about your angles?” His question caught me off guard. Angles and basketball? That was a new one. I tried brushing it off with an overconfident response, then quickly laughed it off. Truth was, I’d never really considered the importance of court angles in my game. That’s when Coach took me through a game-changing revelation. He guided me to the right wing and asked, “What do you see?” Of course, I said “the basket.” Coach nodded. “Exactly. Our aim is to reach that basket in the smartest way possible.” He then broke down three different attacking angles depending on the defense. Retreat, re-evaluate, attack from another angle if needed. “But how do I know which angle to go for first?” I asked. “Trust your instincts, your first read,” he said. “Learn from every decision because you won’t always nail it on the first try. Oh, and there are five key,...