FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Tuesday, January 5, 2016 New Faces: MSUB women’s basketball freshman Taylor Edwards
Growing up in Great Falls, Mont., Yellowjacket women’s basketball freshman Taylor Edwards bringing fresh, competitive energy to program in first season at MSUB. Third in a series. 12/28/15 – New Faces: Preston Beverly, MSUB Men’s Basketball 12/9/15 – New Faces: Cierra Lamey, MSUB Women’s Basketball MSUB SPORTS – Taylor Edwards still has the first basketball she ever held, a gift from her grandfather Reid Edwards as a present on her third birthday. One of the toughest things the Montana State University Billings women’s basketball freshman has had to endure was the passing of Reid when she was in high school, but the now worn-down Wilson basketball carries more significance than ever. “It has meant a lot to me,” Edwards commented on the ball. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without him and without that ball.” Coming from a sports-oriented family, where friendly competition sprouted up around every corner, Edwards credits her siblings, older brothers Reid and Royce in particular, with shaping her competitive spirit. Being the second-youngest of
seven total children of Jim and Lisa Edwards never discouraged Taylor on the platform of the playing field, whether it was volleyball, softball, track and field or the hardwood. The skills Edwards began naturally developing through her upbringing have shone through as some of her most valuable traits today as a collegiate player. “Two of Taylor’s greatest assets are her versatility and her competitiveness,” commented MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. “She played primarily a 2 guard in high school, but she has been asked to play both point and shooting guard this year. She plays with great intensity and is a great teammate and person.” Edwards has played in all 12 of MSUB’s games this season, and is averaging 7.6 minutes off of the bench in her first season at the Division II level. The concept of living away from her home 3.5 hours away, where she spent time watching women’s college basketball on TV and dreaming about her chance to play one day, was overwhelming at first. But a semester into her time studying health and human performance and competing for the ‘Jackets has helped reassure Edwards that she picked the perfect university. “It was hard at first because I love being at home and my family so much, but so far it has grown me as a person and I have gotten used to being a lot more independent,” said Edwards. “I love it here. I am figuring out who I am and what I want to do, and am making big life decisions on my own.” Edwards has grown so accustomed to her new surroundings at MSUB, that when the team split ways for the mandatory seven-day winter break, she suddenly struggled with putting her college experience on hold. “Going home for break was actually hard, because I knew I would miss my family back here,” Edwards said referring to her teammates. “We have a great bond that sports creates within a team, and I would do anything for any one of them.” A hint of brilliance from Edwards during her prep career caught Woodin’s eye while he was recruiting, as she scored 30 points in a playoff game as a senior against Skyview High School in Billings. The standout effort in a pressure situation is what captivated Woodin the most, and prompted him to continue the theme of filling his roster with Montanans. Beyond her proven abilities on the court however, Woodin cited that her personality and character were two more key reasons he thought she would fit in well with the Yellowjackets. “Her positive attitude is contagious, she is very coachable and plays extremely hard,” Woodin said. “It is easy for me to tell that she believes in her team first, and is committed to doing whatever it takes to make her team win.” As Edwards began distributing highlight videos her senior season at Charles M. Russell High School, her only true consideration was that attending college in Montana and remaining close to home was something she valued greatly. While MSUB was not originally on her radar, Edwards remembers pulling out an old Yellowjacket Basketball t-shirt that she acquired along the way at a camp as a child as sparking interest. “It hadn’t really crossed my mind at the time, but I put MSUB on my list and started thinking about coming here,” Edwards commented on the rediscovery of the old shirt. “I just love it here (in Montana) and knew that I didn’t want to leave.” Edwards got her first taste of the level of competition in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference and the NCAA Division II, as she has played in all four of MSUB’s conference games in the team’s early 3-1 start to GNAC play. Unsure of what
to expect, Edwards had to get caught up to speed quickly as the ‘Jackets played a difficult preseason schedule including two games against teams ranked in the top-25. Last week, Edwards made the journey to Alaska where the ‘Jackets split with a loss at No. 5 Alaska Anchorage and a victory in Fairbanks against UAF. “The preseason was definitely hard and when we finally hit conference games it was great,” Edwards said. “I love how hard we work together as a team.” Keeping up with school work while adhering to her demanding schedule as a student-athlete has not overwhelmed Edwards, and she hopes to one day use her degree from MSUB to become a teacher and a coach after her playing days. In terms of her goals for the season, Edwards has shown maturity by tackling the year with a daily routine focused on continually getting better. “You never know what to expect until you go in and start competing every day, and I have just tried to get better as a teammate and as an individual,” Edwards said. “I have listened to what Coach Woodin has said and tried to apply it to my game every day. My focus is on taking it day-by-day and getting better individually.” As Edwards’ journey as a Yellowjacket is just beginning, Woodin is optimistic about the freshman’s potential to thrive within MSUB’s system as well. Her work ethic in practice is a big part of why she has a strong upside, as Woodin has noticed her relentless attitude towards growing as a young player. “I am confident that Taylor will put in the extra time needed to improve as a player,” Woodin said. “We need Taylor to continue to improve and be ready when she is called upon this season. In regard to her future, offseason improvement will be critical, and then performing at a confident level in games will be a must.” For now, Edwards will cherish her opportunity to carry on her family’s competitive spirit on the court for the Yellowjackets. She never could have guessed what her grandfather’s gift would come to represent, but today it holds strong as a symbol of a promising young career for the Yellowjackets. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--