Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 21, 1995 TAG: 9509210021
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: CHAD WILLIS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Sometimes life's greatest lessons are learned under the most difficult circumstances.
Radford High point guard Charlee Taylor's recent performances illustrate that idea. Taylor, a junior, has been scorching Bobcat opponents, scoring 23.3 points per outing just one year after a devastating injury sidelined her for the entire 1994 season.
Taylor injured the soft tissue in her knee during last season's second scrimmage. The injury, according to Taylor, turned out to be an educational albeit unpleasant experience.
``Having to sit out because of the injury to my knee was hard,`` Taylor said. ``But it gave me a chance to sit and watch the offense and the way things worked. It also gave me a chance to watch Coach [Brenda] King. I learned a lot while I was hurt.``
King said that the nature of Taylor's injury made the '94 season especially tumultuous.
``Originally Charlee's injury was supposed to keep her out only a few weeks,`` King said. ``But every time we thought we might get her back, she started having problems with it again. It turned out that she didn't play a single minute last season.
``It was difficult for us to plan ahead because we kept hoping that we would get her back at some point. Finally we just had to accept that we were going to be without her for the entire season.``
The persistent problems with her knee left Taylor frustrated and disappointed last season.
``I love to play, and sitting there watching became very hard after a while,`` Taylor said. ``Sometimes I would sit there and and cry before games because I wanted to be out there.``
Taylor said that the encouragement of her teammates and family made the injury and the rehabilitation easier to cope with during her lost season.
``My dad [Radford University athletic director Chuck Taylor] helped me a lot because he has had knee problems as well,`` Taylor said. ``He told me that it was a good thing that it happened early in high school so that I could get it fixed and still have a shot at playing college ball.``
Taylor has been receiving recruiting materials from numerous colleges. Virginia Tech, Rice, Pennsylvania and Radford have all expressed interest.
``She definitely has the potential to play ball in college,`` King said. ``She's a little small but she is an excellent ballhandler who runs the offense very well and she's a great defender.``
Taylor said that out of all the schools that have contacted her, the possibility of playing at Radford University is intriguing because of her father's position as athletic director.
``A few years ago I would have said that I didn't want to play there because my father worked there,`` Taylor said. ``But now I think that it would be a great experience.``
No matter which school Taylor dribbles off to in 1997, her future coach can count on Taylor providing the same spark she uses to ignite the Bobcats.
Taylor is currently leading the team in scoring, assists (3.3 apg), steals (36) and 3-point accuracy (37.5 percent). According to King, Taylor put together one of the outstanding games in recent Bobcat history Sept.12 when she burned Rocky Gap for 35 points and recorded 10 steals.
``She was just amazing in the Rocky Gap win,`` King said.
As if Taylor's offensive talents aren't enough to cause problems for Radford opponents, her defensive abilities might be her greatest asset. Taylor recorded 17 steals during the Bobcats' first four games, but she has more than doubled that mark in the last two outings, tallying 19 thefts.
``I love to play defense,`` Taylor said. ``That's where I get most of my points from. Our defense creates most of our offense.``
King said that the biggest difference between last season's 8-14 squad and this year's 4-2 team is simply Taylor's presence in a Radford uniform.
``She is our captain and leads the other girls by example,`` King said. ``She busted her butt in rehab and she goes at every drill in practice just as hard as she can.
``She is the kind of player that makes all the other players around her better. We have a lot of the same players we had last season, but just her being in the game has made us that much better. She's the most coachable kid I've ever had.``
by CNB