Palo Verde shortstop Taylor Johns enters the Class 5A state tournament this week with a chance to make history. The senior leads Nevada with 20 home runs, tied for the state record in the top classification (5A/4A), and needs one more to break the overall mark of 21 set by Lowry’s Savannah Stoker in 2023.

Johns also tops 5A in batting average (.703), on-base percentage (.765), and slugging percentage (1.828). The Panthers (25-0 in 2025) are defending their state title and seek to become the first team since Centennial (2012-13) to win back-to-back championships in the highest class.

Her mother, Dena Johns, a former UNLV standout who led the Rebels to consecutive College World Series appearances, said Taylor is already ahead of where she was at the same age. “Her aunt (Jennifer Baker) played at Cal State Fullerton, and I played at UNLV, and we will both say she is better and more driven than both of us were,” Dena said.

Taylor’s father, Matt, played college baseball at UNR, and her brother, Tanner, plays at Grand Canyon University. Taylor is committed to Georgia for next spring.

Palo Verde coach Angel Council praised Taylor’s growth: “Coming in from freshman year to now, Taylor is a completely different player. She’s always been great at what she does, but her leadership on the field is one of the best things that I’ve seen.”

Taylor credits her family for instilling a competitive drive. “It gave me a lot of guidance growing up, just having someone to always help me out with things that I hadn’t already experienced because she already had experienced it,” she said.

The Panthers have played without a home field this season due to renovations. The double-elimination state tournament begins Thursday at Faith Lutheran.