Talk about smooth.
The transition for junior transfer Taylor Charles and Fox Valley Conference leader Burlington Central has been seamless from the start.
That’s probably not too surprising, given Charles’ talent and resume.
Offered a scholarship by Michigan as an eighth grader, the 6-foot-2 Charles also is a strong student who plans to major in premed and in hopes of becoming an orthopedic surgeon.
A key forward last season for Montini in its run to a third-place finish in the state in Class 3A, Taylor has scholarship offers from other Big Ten schools Illinois, Iowa and Purdue as well as Virginia Tech and interest from Ivy League schools Yale and Princeton.
“I hope to make a decision before the start of senior year,” said Charles, who wants to make some visits when pandemic-related recruiting restrictions are lifted.
Last season, Charles averaged a team-high 9.5 points and 4.9 rebounds for the Broncos. Her family moved from a home in Oswego to an Elgin address that’s in the Burlington Central district.
“Central was in our sectional last year and I liked the community support they received,” Charles said. “Plus, it’s a much closer drive.”
This season, Charles’ scoring average has ranged from 10 to 12 points. She averages 12 rebounds.
“She’s been a difference-maker on both ends of the floor,” Burlington Central coach Collin Kalamatas said.
The Rockets (9-1, 6-0), who beat Crystal Lake South 64-40 on Monday, enter Wednesday’s game at McHenry needing one win to clinch the top seed in the conference tournament that wraps up a shortened season the following week.
Burlington Central started the season with eight straight wins before dropping a 58-55 nonconference decision to Bartlett. The Rockets also had two games canceled because Dundee-Crown and Crystal Lake Central were under quarantine due to COVID-19 protocols.
“We normally have an 18-game conference schedule, which doesn’t make for much variety in scheduling nonconference games,” Kalamatas said. “With the tournament this year, it gives us some kind of postseason.”
Friday’s home date with Crystal Lake Central has been replaced by a nonconference game against Carmel.
Charles likes the fact Kalamatas has allowed her to expand her game.
“Against a zone, I’ll work inside, but when we go against a man-to-man, he allows me to come out on the perimeter, too,” Charles said. “We play mostly man defense and will pressure full court.
“I like that. I feel a lot more energetic playing man than zone.”
Kalamatas has been impressed.
“She’s so smart rebounding, getting in the best position,” Kalamatas. “And one of my favorite things is watching her block shots. Her timing is outstanding, and I don’t think she’s bit on a shot fake all season.”
Climbing the chart: Burlington Central graduated six seniors from last year’s Class 3A regional champions. All were four-year varsity players, helping the Rockets to a 29-5 record and second place in conference.
Returning, though, was point guard Elana Wells, a University of Indianapolis commit who topped 1,500 career points in the loss to Bartlett.
Lewis University freshman Kathryn Schmidt set the career record last season with 1,697 points. Jenna Real, a 2003 graduate, ranks second with 1,647. Wells has 1,550.
“In a normal year, Elana would be on track to set the record,” Kalamatas said. “But she’d have to average about 25 the rest of the way, and I’m not sure that’s possible.”
Charles said Wells’ focus is on winning.
“I love playing with her,” Charles said. “We’ve become best friends.
“We’re not concerned with who the leading scorer is. We’ll pass up a good shot for a better shot.”
Their work together has opened up opportunities for developing scorers like junior Becca Carani, who had a team-high 16 points Monday, and senior Avery Andersen, who added 10.
Noteworthy: Dundee-Crown and Crystal Lake Central, both on hold due to quarantine, are expected to be eligible to play in the season-ending FVC Tournament … Josie Ness scored 13 points and Claire Allen added 11 as Sandwich (8-2, 6-2) downed Plano 43-15 in the Interstate Eight. The win guarantees the Indians will have a fourth straight winning season.