By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
When the final buzzer sounded at Wynford Saturday afternoon Amy Taylor-Sheldon had achieved another milestone as the head coach of the Lady Royals.
In her 20th season as head coach basketball for the Wynford girls, Taylor-Sheldon claimed her 300th career victory after her Lady Royals defeated the Crestline Lady Bulldogs 69-26.
After the game Taylor-Sheldon explained what it meant to get the 300th victory at home.
“There has been lots of legendary games here, whether it was because of Coach Bauer, or Rob, or Coach Sheldon or Dick Jervais. I feel proud that I am part of that coaching tradition here at Wynford,” Taylor-Sheldon said. “It’s a very respected group of people and the fact I get to be involved and part of that I really am humbled. I am humbled by our community support over the years. I wouldn’t have even had a chance at 300 without their support.”
Of the 300 victories over her career Taylor-Sheldon said that she really doesn’t remember many of the games, but she remembers that students that have come through the Wynford Lady Royals’ program.
“Going to the Final Four. But honestly I wasn’t aware of 100, and I wasn’t quite sure of 200 until someone told me the game before. But honestly I’m not a person who remembers scores, and I really don’t remember games per say either, but all the players who have been through the program and graduated,” Taylor-Sheldon said. “I can tell you lots of memories of a great play they may have made, but probably more importantly what their personality was like, and what they brought to the team that was totally unique. “
“I think some of the big games we had where we were able to go to the regionals, but I think back to my 2008 team who didn’t have superstars, they didn’t have all-Ohioans, but they were kids that bought in and worked super hard and I think we won the sectional 19-17 or something like that. I appreciate those kids year after year that are willing to work,” Taylor-Sheldon continued.
Rob Sheldon, Taylor-Sheldon’s father-in-law, is the all-time leading coach at Wynford with 401 wins. Taylor-Sheldon explained that much of her credit goes towards him as well as former principal Scott Langenderfer.
“I think ultimately so much of my credit goes to Scott Langenderfer who was the principal when I got here and Rob Sheldon who was the athletic director when I got here because it’s not like we won instantly. It took time. I think they knew I was willing to work, and I think they knew I was passionate, and loved the kids,” Taylor-Sheldon Said.
“Rob was always honest with me when I wasn’t so smart, but supported me when I wasn’t and was like, ‘You screwed up, but you need fix it and move on,'” Taylor-Sheldon said of her mentor. “He was able to do that, he allowed me to come practice, and he knew that I wanted to work so he supported that. Lots of others coaches – Coach Ehrsman, Coach Hershey – just the coaching community especially from the boys side supported me here in this program so I was really grateful for that.”.
The Lady Royals started out of the gate on a 9-0 run against the Lady Bulldogs. Wynford didn’t let up either as they outscored Crestline in all four quarters. Wynford’s Gretchen Harris led all scorers with 18 points, Tara Zinser added 13 points and Sarah Ogden contributed 10. With the victory Wynford improves to 6-10 on the season.
Crestline was led by Denesa Baker with 12 points. Stephanie Thomas added 10. The Lady Bulldogs fall to 0-17 on the season with the loss.
Wynford will next play Seneca East on January 26 at Seneca East High School.
A photo gallery of Taylor-Sheldon’s 300th win can be found here.