HONAKER — The UVa-Wise Cavaliers landed a top basketball recruit. Reigning Lebanon News Player of the Year, Tailor Nolley recently signed in a ceremony at A.P. Baldwin Gymnasium to continue her career at the collegiate level with the Cavs.
Tailor is a competitor and will bring a lot of energy to our team,” said Jamie Cluesman, who is in her sixth season at the helm of the women’s basketball program at UVA-Wise. “Her tenacious defense will create scoring opportunities for us. She has played a big role in the success of her high school program and has that winning mentality that will translate to the college level.”
Basketball has been a long journey for Nolley. She initially began basketball in kindergarten and started playing travel ball in third grade. It’s easy to see her love for the game when she is on the court.
“I’ve never lost my love for it,” Nolley said. “Honestly, it’s what I look forward to literally every day.”
To be able to advance is a dream come true.
“I’ve waited for this day my entire basketball career,” commented Nolley. “I couldn’t be more thankful.
“I love Coach Cluesman, the campus is beautiful, the gym is amazing. I couldn’t be happier to go there.”
Nolley has a non-stop motor that’s helped Honaker acquire state titles in her freshman and sophomore campaigns. She scored 11 points, grabbed five rebounds with three steals and assists a game in her junior season. Her biggest contribution may be inducing havoc on the defensive end. She often guards the opposition’s top scorer.
“Tailor has been huge for our program,” Honaker coach Misty Davis Miller said. “She works hard, she’s in the gym all the time, putting in extra time. I tell Tailor all the time I think she finishes around the rim like a boy. That’s what you want to strive for, to be an athlete that can finish in transition. That’s what Tailor does very well.”
A key to the game is getting the ball to the rim. That’s probably Nolley’s biggest strength.
“She can find a gap or seam and get to the rim,” remarked Miller. “She finishes well. Tailor is very athletic, and uses her speed well, just a dream to coach.”
A good thing about signing, Nolley can focus on her final year with the Tigers. A third [state championship] ring would fit nicely.
“I still have a lot to accomplish,” Nolley said. “The main goal is a state championship. We’re in a new district (Hogoheegee), and our first goal is to win it.”
Nolley plans on majoring in Education and wants to be a PE teacher. Even after her career at UVA-Wise is over, you may often see her at a gym. She would love to become a basketball coach.
Tailor is the daughter of April and Travis Nolley. She has one sister Alivia Nolley.