Taylor Goshert of Indiana Wesleyan, who starred at Wawasee High School, passes the ball while being knocked to the court by a pair of Grace defenders Wednesday night in Winona Lake. Goshert helped No. 3 IWU post a 68-40 conference win.

WINONA LAKE –  Taylor Goshert, standing 5-8, is the top rebounder this season for the No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan women’s basketball team.

It may be because Goshert has the heart of a seven-footer on the hardwood.

The former Wawasee High School star was back in the neighborhood Wednesday night as the Wildcats paid a visit to Grace College for a Crossroads League contest.

Goshert, a junior guard for IWU, had five points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals in a dominating 68-40 victory for the undefeated Wildcats.

But, her value to the IWU program will never show up on a stat sheet, according to her current coach.

“Taylor has a passion for the game that you wish every kid had,” said veteran IWU coach Steve Brooks. “She just comes to compete every game and I love it. She has incredible energy and is brings an energy and a focus that we need.

“She’s just a gym rat. She’s been in the gym her whole life with her dad (Wawasee assistant coach Rocky Goshert) and the other coaches up at Wawasee. She has a nose for the ball. She’s always thinking the game out there. She will make a great coach some day.”

Taylor Goshert makes a move during action Wednesday night at Grace College. The junior guard had five points and eight rebounds for Indiana Wesleyan.

Goshert, who missed last season due to a knee injury, started her Homecoming with a bang Wednesday night. The second leading scorer in Wawasee girls basketball history nailed a triple to give the Wildcats a 3-0 lead. IWU, now 8-0 on the season, never trailed in the contest.

Goshert, who starred in basketball, softball and golf at Wawasee, entered the game averaging a team-high 7.9 rebounds per game. With effort and hustle that saw her hit the deck several times Wednesday night while playing a game-high 34 minutes, she nabbed eight caroms.

“It’s hustle a lot of times,” said Goshert of her rebounding prowess. “That and my teammates do a good job boxing out and I’m there to pick up the loose change (rebounds).

“I try to make the hustle plays and be counted on for my defense and then throw in some points too. This program is ball about the little things. It’s a discipline thing as far as defense. Defense is all about effort. Defense is something that can be a constant all the time.”

Goshert had a prolific offensive career in Syracuse. She scored 1,417 points, second only to the state record of 3,085 scored by former superstar, Miss Basketball and WNBA player Shanna Zolman. Goshert was the top scorer all four seasons for coach Kem Zolman at Wawasee and led the Warriors to a Class 3-A state runner-up finish as a sophomore in 2007. The Warriors finished a 22-4 season that year with a 51-43 loss to Indianapolis Brebeuf in the state title game. Goshert led Wawasee to a 65-11 mark in her final three seasons, including a 19-2 record in Northern Lakes Conference contests.

“Not really,” responded Goshert when asked if it was a big deal to play back in Kosciusko County. “But, it was good to look up in the stands and see family and familiar faces.”

Point guard Emma Stahl, who played at Jimtown High School, directs the Indiana Wesleyan attack Wednesday night.

Goshert admits her role now is different from in high school.

“It’s definitely different and was an adjustment at first in figuring out my role,” said Goshert. “But, the outcome of the game is what matters. It’s about doing what you have to do for the team to be successful.”

Brooks believes that the offensive game will come around for Goshert.

“She didn’t play last year because of the knee injury and this is her first year as a starter,” pointed out Brooks. “I think she’ll start knocking down those threes for us too.

“We used to call her puppy because she chased the ball like it was a bone. But, now I love the way she’s defending for us.”

Freshman Sarah Heagy, second from left, looks on Wednesday night from the Indiana Wesleyan bench.

Goshert was not the only former local player to return to their old stomping grounds Wednesday night for the Wildcats. Freshman forward Sarah Heagy, who played at Warsaw, had two points and a rebound late in the game for IWU.

Emma Stahl, who had an outstanding prep career at Jimtown High School, is the starting point guard for the Wildcats. The 5-7 sophomore had four points, two steals and two assists Wednesday night in the victory.

Taylor Goshert grimaces after being hit in the face during the first half Wednesday night at Grace College. The former Wawasee High School star helped No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan defeat the Lancers 68-40.