A Consistent Face in the Crowd

Taylor Higginbotham's mom Kimberly rarely misses a moment.

"I'll spend the rest of my life trying to repay her for what she's done for me."

What are the signs of a sports mom?

There are some more visible like the minivan, a shopping cart full of Gatorade or the custom "Mom of [insert child's name]" jersey, but honestly, not all are as telltale.

It's a sacrifice; often putting the needs and wants of your children above those of your own and for Western Illinois senior Taylor Higginbotham that sacrifice means "the world."

Her mother Kimberly is her biggest fan, a fixture at nearly every Leatherneck women's basketball game – at home and on the road – and it all started with a gentle nod to drop volleyball in the fifth grade.

"I definitely get my competitive nature from her," Taylor said. "She was an unbelievable volleyball player and still plays in the 'Old Woman League' as they call it. Really big competitor, really hard worker, so I definitely think that I get those things from her, but it's funny that I didn't get volleyball whatsoever.

"I tried to do a volleyball camp, and apparently, it looked like I was shooting when I tried to set the ball. It was all basketball form, so she was like 'Yeah, we're going to have you stick to basketball," Taylor laughed.

Basketball has always been Taylor's passion, and it turned out she was really good at it. Like, four-year varsity lettermen at Germantown High School good. Averaging 13.9 points and nearly four rebounds and four steals as a senior good. Western Illinois' all-time leading scorer good … we'll get to that later.

The entire journey has seen her mom Kim by her side. 60229

"When I started playing basketball, my mom took me to every last practice and every last workout. No matter how far. When I played AAU, the workouts were at least 45 minutes to an hour away, and she never had a problem. It'd be weeknights where she had to get up for work at 5:30 a.m. but had no problem taking me to a 7 to 9 p.m. workout.

"In high school, I don't think she ever missed a game, and in college, she's stuck pretty close to that, traveling four hours to Macomb and beyond that for conference. It's been pretty amazing the amount that she's been able to support me."

Kim made the voyage to Sioux Falls, S.D., in 2017 when the Leathernecks drained a last second 3-pointer to crown their first Summit League regular season and tournament title in 12 years. She was also at Stanford, a season ago, to cheer Western on to an upset over the nationally-ranked No. 18 team, where her daughter posted a double-double on 17 points and 10 rebounds.

Kim has had a seat in the house of exciting Leatherneck dubs over Wichita State and Illinois as well as the heartbreakers against Mizzou and Iowa. In four years, she hasn't missed much, but when she was absent, the reason was heartwarming.

As Hurricane Maria left Puerto Rico and Dominica devastated in September of 2017, Kim, a lineman, was called in to assist with the recovery efforts.

"I think she left in early February [2018] and by the time she was able to make it back, it was right before the conference tournament. We knew that was going to be really difficult and it was, especially the first game where she wasn't there and really far away, but it was always a call before the game and a call after. No matter what her work schedule was looking like. She even told me that she had to sneak headphones into her helmet so that she could listen and watch the game sometimes.

"She would try to pay attention as much as she could, but when something like that happens, and you get called to go and help so many people that really, really need you, I think it also just shows her character. As much as I wanted her here, she needed to be there."

Fast forward to February 3, 2019.

As winners of four of its last five games, Western was playing host to North Dakota State and Taylor needed just 12 points to secure the program's all-time scoring record. Collective and individual goals were achieved that day as the Leathernecks crowned the decision with an 82-70 victory, helped by a season-high 27 points from its lone senior.

"I've always wanted to make [my mom] proud. She has sacrificed and done so much for me. When it happened, there was a timeout, and I got to turn up to the stands and wave at her. We also do this thing, a kiss and a peace sign. It's our little thing so getting to do that and look up and see her made it feel like everything was right in the world."

The 2019 Summit League Tournament. Graduation. Countless milestones, achievements, and memories to come. Taylor has and will enjoy it all with her mom Kimberly by her side.

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Players Mentioned

#24 Taylor Higginbotham: G; 5' 10"; Senior; Germantown

Players Mentioned

#24 Taylor Higginbotham
: 5' 10"; Senior; Germantown
: G

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Players Mentioned

#24 Taylor Higginbotham

Players Mentioned

#24 Taylor Higginbotham