BENTONVILLE — Taylor Lee always had the desire to play college basketball, but she also wanted to stay as close to home as possible.
John Brown University provided her with both opportunities, and Lee took them as she signed her national letter of intent with the Siloam Springs school. She was one of five players to sign during Friday’s ceremony in Tiger Arena, joining teammates Jasmine Secrest, Rashaun Casey and Julia Garrard and boys basketball player Aaron Ward.
“I have a good relationship with my father and with all my fellow seniors.” Lee said. “So I wanted to stay close and be where I grew up.
“John Brown is a Christian school, and it was what I was looking for. It was a perfect fit.”
Lee, a 5-foot-8 guard, is a two-time all-state selection and was chosen to play in the Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star game in June. She chose John Brown over North Arkansas Community College and a couple of college that showed some interest.
She also has been the Lady Tigers’ leading scorer the past two seasons. She averaged 13.6 points per game during one of Bentonville’s most successful seasons in school history, and she also led the team with 86 assists and 46 steals while finishing second in rebounding.
“I was really nervous about this,” Lee said. “But I’m so glad to have this day, and I feel blessed to be where I am right now with my basketball career. I wouldn’t have this if it wasn’t for the teammates and the coaches I’ve had.”
Casey, a 5-9 guard/forward, and Garrard, a 6-1 post, will continue to be teammates as they signed with Kansas City Kansas Community College. Secrest, a 6-foot post, signed with Philander Smith in Little Rock.
Garrard averaged 5.7 points and 7.1 rebounds per game and earned all-state and all-state tournament honors, as well as being named to the NWA Media All-Big 7 team. Casey averaged 6.7 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while earning all-conference honors, while Secrest averaged 5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game in mainly a reserve role.
Ward, a 6-6 guard/forward, signed his letter of intent with Hendrix. He was usually Bentonville’s first player off the bench and was one of the Tigers’ most versatile players because of his ability to play both inside and outside.
“I went down on a visit, and the coach said the position that I will play, there is only one person ahead of me,” Ward said. “So I could see playing time my first year there, and that really got to me.
“I like coming off the bench more. I can come into the game and give the team a spark if it’s down. I feel like it’s a good role.”