**article courtesy of Bill Wagner, of the Capital Gazette (MD)
Backcourt mates
-Former Annapolis High standout Artina Trader has been the women's basketball coach at North Carolina Wesleyan for 11 seasons now. Trader actively recruits Anne Arundel County (MD) and two of the top players currently in the program are fellow Annapolis High (MD) graduates.
Kayla Johnson had another outstanding season as the team's shooting guard and was named first team All-USA South Conference. The 5-foot-5 junior led North Carolina Wesleyan in scoring with 17.5 points and topped the USA South Conference with 70 3-pointers. She also amassed 40 assists and 30 steals.
"Kayla became really scary because her 3-pointer improved as well as her ability to attack off the dribble," Trader said.
Johnson received a tremendous honor in late April when she was chosen Female Athlete of the Year by the North Carolina Wesleyan athletic department.
Keorra Taylor, a fellow 2017 Annapolis High graduate, was the starting point guard this past season and led the USA South Conference with 128 assists, a total that ranked 20th in all of Division III. The 5-foot-3 junior averaged 5.1 helpers per game after switching to the point position after previously playing on the wing.
"Keorra's unselfishness allowed us to have five true scorers on the floor at once. She kept defenders on their toes because they never knew when she would attack and finish or attack and pass," Trader said.
Trader led North Carolina Wesleyan to an overall record of 19-6 and conference mark of 14-2 that was the program's best in 20 years.
-Bill Wagner has worked for Capital Gazette Newspapers for 30 years. He served as beat writer for Navy athletics and general assignment sports reporter. He is also the sailing editor.
