Megan Queen Orton scored 972 points

FANNIN COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2022

  • Megan looking for an open player during her days with the Lady Rebels.
    Megan looking for an open player during her days with the Lady Rebels.
  • Megan’s senior picture from Fannin County High School. It appeared with a quote, “Counting time is not so important as making time count.”
    Megan’s senior picture from Fannin County High School. It appeared with a quote, “Counting time is not so important as making time count.”
  • A familar scene was Megan blocking a shot.
    A familar scene was Megan blocking a shot.
  • Megan is engulfed by the 2021-2022 Lady Rebels when she was introduced as a Hall of Fame inductee.
    Megan is engulfed by the 2021-2022 Lady Rebels when she was introduced as a Hall of Fame inductee.
  • Megan with her husband, Rogan Orton.
    Megan with her husband, Rogan Orton.
  • Megan during her playing days at Shorter College.
    Megan during her playing days at Shorter College.

    By Mike Harper

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    It is easy to spot assistant coach Megan Queen Orton when the Fannin County High School girls basketball team is standing in front of the Lady Rebels bench. At six feet, three inches Megan can look down physically at her charges when she is delivering instructions. She is in the middle of her third season as Head Coach Ryan Chastain’s chief lieutenant for the 2021-2022 season.

    Megan’s height, along with a considerable amount of talent, served her well during her high school career at Fannin from 2003 through 2007. She was a formidable scorer, rebounder and shot blocker during her time as a player in Blue Ridge.

    At Fannin, Megan finished just short of the 1,000-career point club by scoring 972 points during her playing days. She led her teams in rebounding and blocked shots for three seasons. She was named as the team best offensive player in 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 and team most valuable player as a senior in 2006-2007. She was elected team captain as a senior. On a team level, the Lady Rebels finished as state runners-up in 2003-2004 and advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2006-2007.

    When asked to comment on Megan’s career at Fannin, Coach Johnny Farmer had this to say: “Megan is the all-time leading shot blocker in Lady Rebel basketball history. She had a triple double in the first round of the State Tournament in her senior year. Megan had a great touch from the elbow and the short corner. If we needed a bucket, I would call her number and she would slide to the short corner for two points. In addition to her shot blocking skills, she was a tremendous rebounder for the Lady Rebels and developed a great mid-range jumper which landed her a scholarship to Shorter College for four years.”

    Megan began her education and basketball tenure at Shorter College in Rome, Georgia, in the autumn of 2007. She put together a solid basketball career at Shorter from 2007 through 2012. She was an active player for four seasons and was a medical redshirt in 2008-2009. In her role as a post player she had four-year totals of 685 points, 637 rebounds and 184 blocked shots. She was named to the SSAC all-freshman team in 2007-2008, was selected as the team Most Improved Player in 2008-2009 and was the recipient of the team Champion of Character Award in 2008-2009.

    Megan’s best year statistically at Shorter was her sophomore season when she averaged 7.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 23 games. Top individual game performances came during her freshman season when she scored 20 points against Tennessee Temple, had 14 rebounds against Brenau and had eight blocks vs Emmanuel.

    During the time between college graduation in 2012 and landing employment as a teacher and coach in Fannin County, Megan found time to teach and coach at Ranger, North Carolina, Middle School and to earn her masters and specialist degrees from Piedmont College. In addition to her assistant coaching duties with the Fannin High Lady Rebels, she also mans a post as a third-grade teacher at Blue Ridge Elementary School.

    Megan Queen Orton grew up in Epworth on Lickskillet Road, the eldest of the three Queen children. She attended West Fannin Elementary School.

    When asked about her duties as the Fannin Lady Rebels assistant coach, Megan responded that she handles any chores assigned to her by Coach Chastain. She devotes some time to offense, some time to defense and some time as a counselor or advisor to a group of 15 or so young ladies. She loves her job but is reluctant to predict precisely what the future might hold for her in the coaching profession. For now, she is deeply committed to the Lady Rebels and counts the team’s march to the state championship game in 2020-2021 as her greatest thrill.

    On December 11, 2021, the 2022 Hall of Fame members were introduced on the Fannin County High School basketball court between the girls and boys basketball games against Union County. After Megan’s name was announced by Fannin County Sports Hall of Fame Board member and announcer Tim Towe, all of the members of the current Lady Rebels girls basketball team rushed to center court and engulfed Megan in a manifestation of affection and respect. The action spoke volumes about just how much Assistant Coach Orton means to the young ladies.

    Megan Queen married Rogan Orton May 21, 2021. It is a divided household since Rogan was a football standout at Copper Basin High School. In the past, the rivalry between Copper Basin and Fannin County schools has often reached epic proportions. Megan and Rogan, however, have successfully bridged the gap and are happily settled in their home across the state lines in the neutral territory of North Carolina.