Dynamic Duos: Golladay and McCabe Team Up to Lead Fremont to New Level

The Fremont Tigers have never won a state championship in girls basketball.  Actually, the Fremont Tigers have never won a game at the state tournament, which has been going on since the age of disco.  However, Taylor McCabe and Sydney Golladay would like to write a whole new chapter in the history of Fremont girls basketball. Fremont made a splash last spring by coaxing long time South Sioux City coach Kelly Flynn out of his sabbatical from coaching, but along with Coach Flynn's accomplishments and accolades comes a very talented group of players, lead by the senior Golladay and the super sophomore McCabe.  Although they have not been teamed together long, these partners think a lot alike. "I know Syd will say the same, but we are working for a state championship this year," McCabe said. "We feel really good about it. Our offensive flow is getting much smoother, and we are working on really pressuring teams on the defensive end." 'Our number one goal of this is season is to win a state championship," Golladay echoed. "I like our chances and if we play together and get better everyday. I am super excited about this upcoming season. We have a ton of talent and I can’t wait to see how all the pieces fit together." McCabe and Golladay took different paths to Fremont, but both are very happy with things. "Last season was Taylor and I’s first season playing together.  She transferred in and I moved to Fremont so it was definitely fate that brought us to be teammates," Golladay stated. "I love playing with Taylor. She is such a hard worker and has great basketball IQ. Her ability to shoot the ball and score it against any defender is what every point guard dreams to have as there shooting guard. It’s always great to have a teammate who will do what ever the teams needs them to do that game to win. I think we click so well on the court, just because of our similar speed and style that we play with." McCabe's feelings towards Golladay are reciprocal. "Syd is really easy to play with because she always makes the right play, and is anything but selfish. She plays fast and pushes the ball up the floor, and I don't think people give her enough credit about how good of a defender she is. It's really fun being able to play with someone who will do what it takes to win every game, and with us being able to read each other so well it makes the game a lot easier." These players lead a talented group of players lead by one of the best coaches that the state has ever seen, and he knows how to use talented players.  He also has earned their trust in the short amount of time they have been together. "Coach Flynn puts a lot of trust in Taylor and I, and in our skill set. He likes to play fast and that is exactly how Taylor and I like to play. He understands both of our strengths and gives us opportunities to be successful. He trust us to just play off each other and our defender," said Golladay. "While both players are good ball handlers and great shooters they are both excellent defensive players and want to play defense on the opponents best players," Flynn said about his dynamic duo. "They are both great leaders on and off the court and I am thankful for the opportunity to get to coach them." Both players bring alot more than intangibles to the table.  McCabe set the school record for three pointers in a season (72), while shooting 42% from the arc.  Not a slouch on the defensive end, McCabe also averaged almost three steals a game, along with 18 points a game, all of which led to a second team all state nod as a freshman.  Along with those accolades, most of the Division I programs in the region have made their way to Fremont to scout out this versatile player. Golladay also had an outstanding season after transferring in from Auburn (NE), averaging almost ten points a game, while also hitting 33 three point shots. Golladay was the floor leader for the Tigers, leading them with an impressive 4.5 assists a game. Although Fremont has one of the more talented rosters, top to bottom, in Class A, they are young.  Most of their core, including one of the most sought after players in the state in McCabe, are underclassmen.  There will be many challenges along the way, and their leaders know it.  Golladay, as a senior, knows the journey they are about to embark on will be difficult. "Class A will be full of high competition this year, and if you don’t come to play you will get beat. We start off our season we have a chance to play Lincoln Northeast, with point guard McKenna Minter. She is a great player and you can’t take plays off while guarding her. Also, Nyaygonah Gony from Lincoln High is someone you have to play well against; she is so athletic and could hurt you if you don’t have lock down defense. It is going to be a very competitive year because of how much talent teams have." McCabe whole-heartedly agrees. "One of the good teams we will play are Lincoln East with Charlie Bovaird and Taylor Searcey. They play fast and work really well together. Another would be Westside, who has Ella Wedergren and Jasmine McGinnis-Taylor. They have talented players and they have lots of different scoring options. Kaysia Woods and Nyayongah Gony at Lincoln High are really good players as well, and they have an athletic team. The HAC (Heartland) Conference will definitely be good this year."