The leading scorer of the defending state champion girls basketball team for N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A will not be playing as the playoffs commence on Tuesday night.

Panther Creek’s senior guard, Taylor Barner, posted on social media this morning that she sustained injuries to her ACL and meniscus, resulting in the premature end of her high school basketball season and career.

“It’s so crazy because you work so hard to stay healthy, you feel better than ever, and you are playing your best basketball, and with one sudden movement everything changes. It’s hard trying to understand and make sense of it all right now but I trust that God will help guide me through this rough time,” Barner shared on social media.

This season, Barner was the top scorer for Panther Creek High School. She was one of only two players who consistently scored in double digits, averaging 24.0 points per game. Throughout 22 games, she racked up a total of 527 points, making half of her shots from the field and 35% of her shots from beyond the arc. Her free throw shooting was also impressive, with an 80% success rate.

“Tucker is the team’s second-highest scorer. As the reigning MVP of the state championship, she has an average of 18.1 points per game.”

Barner not only scored points, but also grabbed an average of 5.5 rebounds, made 3.1 steals, and had 2.2 assists per game.

“I may experience both good and bad days, but my deep passion for the game and determination will ultimately guide me back to where I belong,” Barner expressed on social media. “I have put in too much effort to simply give up now due to this injury.”

ESPN reports that Barner is a highly-rated athlete with four stars. In August, she made a commitment to join Memphis’ college basketball team after leading her high school team, the Catamounts, to victory in the state championship. In a surprising upset, Panther Creek defeated the previously undefeated Lake Norman in the state finals.

During the state championship match, Barner achieved a total of 20 points and was recognized as the Most Outstanding Player. Following the end of the season, she was chosen to be a part of the 2023 HighSchoolOT All-State Team, as well as the all-state and all-district teams by the N.C. Basketball Coaches Association.

Barner received the title of HighSchoolOT Honors Girls Basketball Player of the Year for North Carolina in the summer of last year.

Barner can expect to receive even more recognition following this season. She has already been chosen to participate in the 2024 Carolinas Class All-Star Basketball Game and has been put forward for consideration in the McDonald’s All-American Game.

Barner’s tenure in high school concluded with a total of 1,793 points, 359 rebounds, 261 assists, and 251 steals. As a member of the Panther Creek varsity team for all four years, her record accounts for the freshman season which was truncated due to the pandemic.

Barner expressed his gratitude towards Panther Creek basketball for the incredible four years. Throughout his time as a freshman until his senior year, he formed meaningful connections with exceptional individuals and developed as an athlete. He cannot put into words how grateful he is to have had a coach who constantly supported him, encouraged him to stay true to himself, and motivated him to improve both on the court and as a person. He hopes to return in the future.

The girls’ basketball team from Panther Creek High School begins the 4A state playoffs boasting a 22-4 record. They have an impressive winning streak of 16 games, having gone undefeated with a 14-0 record in the Southwest Wake Athletic Conference. Most recently, they secured the conference tournament championship by defeating Green Level 50-46.

The first playoff match of the Catamounts, seeded 3rd, against Lumberton, seeded 30th, will take place at home on Tuesday evening at 6 p.m.

Source: highschoolot.com