Mama’s got game

Taylor Mantyla, No. 33 on the Lady Pioneers Basketball Team, is more than just an athlete. Mantyla is mother to a three-year-old, a fiance, a full-time student and an employee as well.

Mantyla, 23, has been an athlete her entire life; she began playing organized basketball in the second grade. She played for Dow High School until she graduated in 2008 as well as travel basketball throughout her schooling and went on to receive a basketball scholarship to SVSU.

“I started literally when I was three years old, dribbling on the driveway with my dad,” Mantyla said. “It’s given me a sense of work ethic because to be successful in anything, especially sports, you have to work hard.”

It was that hard work that helped Lady Pioneers, and Mantyla, to a great 2013-14 season. Mantyla broke the Delta College record for most points scored in a single game, with 41 points on Feb. 22 against Kirtland Community College. She led the team with 22.3 points per game, playing 29 games in all. The women’s basketball team ended their post-season tournament with a loss 67-84 against St. Clair on March 8.

Mantyla recalls many moments where basketball and the team mentality helped her throughout her athletic career, both on and off the court.

“My most favorite memory is when I was 16 and my travel team made it to the national championship,” Mantyla said. “We went down to Disney for the big tournament. I remember thinking ‘this is what it’s all about.’ Just being with your best friends and being together.”

After one rocky red-shirt season her freshman year, Mantyla made the move from Saginaw Valley to Muskegon Community College to play.

“The coach was not ideal,” Mantyla said, “I was not willing to let a coach ruin my love for the game.”

In November of her sophomore basketball season, at age 19, Mantyla learned she was pregnant.

“I played well, but I lost a lot of weight that season,” Mantyla said. “My mama bear kicked in. At that point I decided I needed to not focus on basketball and focus on what was best for my baby.”123