Photo of new Lakeland Christian head boys basketball coach, Taylor Long.
Photo of new Lakeland Christian head boys basketball coach, Taylor Long.
WINONA LAKE –  Lakeland Christian Academy’s athletic department is pleased to announce its latest addition to the coaching staff.  Warsaw native, Taylor Long, will take the helm as the Cougars’ Head Boys Basketball coach.  Long replaces Jake Ritchie, who had a record of 26-22 in his two seasons and led LCA to the sectional title game both years of his leadership.

Taylor Long played high school basketball as a Tiger at Warsaw Community.  He was then recruited by Grace College and played for the Lancers under Coach Jim Kessler, graduating in 2013.  

Kessler commented, “Taylor is a perfect fit for LCA.  From his junior high days as a player, through his high school days as a Warsaw Tiger, he showed his competitive spirit with a focus on executing basketball fundamentals.  As a Grace College player, he excelled in playing the game the right way and being a great teammate and then served on our coaching staff. He has an excellent basketball background.  He played for and then coached under coaches with a proven record of teaching the game well and a winning record on the court.  I believe his teams will exhibit Christian character in competition on and off the court.  Taylor Long is a winner, and his teams will represent Lakeland Christian Academy very well.”

Long’s coaching career includes two years as the WCHS boy’s freshman coach, two years as Triton’s 8th grade boys’ coach and the past four years as Triton’s boys JV coach.

“Lakeland Christian basketball has been growing through recent years, which presents an exciting opportunity to build on that growth.  I’m excited to do just that in a Christ-centered manner”, stated Long.

Tim Yocum, athletic director added, “We are thrilled to welcome Coach Long to LCA and are confident he will speak into the lives of our young men, through the game of basketball, but more importantly, in how to compete at a high level while reflecting Christ in everything we do.”