Rachel Epley Anderson: A Basketball Legend's Journey from Pana High School to Coaching

Rachel Epley Anderson's name etched itself in the Pana High School record books, particularly in basketball, where she excelled as a varsity starter for three years. With a breathtaking career scoring record of 1,442 points in 89 games, Anderson averaged 16.2 points per game and 9 rebounds per game in her senior year. She was an unheralded leader, earning Most Valuable Player by her teammates and numerous other accolades. After high school, Anderson went on to coach, including a stint at Taylorville Junior High, where her seventh-grade team reached the Sweet Sixteen.

Key Takeaways:

• Rachel Epley Anderson held the record for most career points (1,442) at Pana High School, averaging 16.2 points per game.
• She was a varsity starter for three years and led the team in assists, rebounds, and steals during her senior year.
• Anderson was voted Most Valuable Player by her teammates in her sophomore, junior, and senior years, as well as being selected as Most Valuable Player at the Bethany Holiday Tournament for three consecutive years.
• After high school, Rachel Anderson began her coaching career, including stints at Taylorville Junior High, where her team reached the Sweet Sixteen, and her middle school in Minnesota.
• Anderson was selected to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-State team and attended the banquet in Bloomington.
• She is currently a middle school language arts teacher, having begun her twenty-eighth year of teaching, and is a member of St. Joseph of the Lakes Catholic Church.

Statistics:

• Rachel Epley Anderson scored 1,442 points in 89 games, averaging 16.2 points per game.
• She led her team in assists, rebounds, and steals during her senior year.
• Her seventh-grade team at Taylorville Junior High reached the Sweet Sixteen.
• Anderson was selected to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association All-State team twice, including in 1998.
• She has been teaching middle school language arts for 28 years.

Sources:

• Pana News-Palladium
• "From Out In Left Field" column by Tom Latonis
• Springfield State Journal-Register
• Decatur Herald and Review
• Illinois Basketball Coaches Association