X marks the spot for Taylor

SOUTH BEND -- Challenges never seemed to bother Jerri Taylor.

They just always brought out the best in the Washington High School basketball player.

Taylor, who will start her senior year this week, put her future in focus over the weekend and now has a challenge left for the upcoming school year.

The Panther point guard committed to attend Xavier University next year, joining former Riley High standout Suntana Granderson. Between now and then, though, Taylor will have to achieve the proper score on the ACT in order to be eligible for her freshman season.

"I've had tutors and a CD-ROM that have helped to get me ready (for her first try at the test in September)," said Taylor, who carried a 3.0 GPA through all of last year. "It's a nice feeling to have everything lined up and to know exactly what I have to do."

"Jerri's made so much progress in a year that I have confidence in her passing the test," Washington coach Marilyn Coddens said. "I think this will be a great situation."

Washington's Jerri Taylor will be taking her game to Xavier next fall. Tribune File Photo

The situation fit like a comfortable shoe, giving Taylor a good feeling as soon as she set foot on Xavier's Cincinnati campus.

"I saw Suntana and I saw (another Xavier player) Miranda Green, who I knew from when I went to school in Indianapolis," Taylor said. "It was like I belonged. I know there's a lot of people there who will take care of me."

Taylor, who drew a lot of attention at the Adidas All-America Camp in Atlanta this summer, visited Valparaiso and Bowling Green and canceled a planned trip to Pepperdine.

"Xavier's really pretty small, they've been in the (NCAA) tournament the last six years and it's only a 4 1/2-hour drive home. Those are all things I was looking for."

Taylor said Musketeers coach Kevin McGuff, a former Notre Dame assistant coach, made her his No. 1 choice at point guard. NCAA rules prohibit McGuff from commenting on commitments.

"She's a true competitor and team player," Coddens said of Taylor, who averaged about 12 points a game last season. "She doesn't have to score every time she gets the ball. She sees the floor so well and knows how to run an offense."

And she loves challenges.

Staff writer Al Lesar:

(574) 235-6318