2022 Northwest Herald Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Burlington Central’s Taylor Charles

Burlington Central’s Taylor Charles put it all together her senior season.

Charles, a 6-foot-2 forward, averaged a double-double with a team-high 13.5 points, 11.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 3.4 blocks and 1.5 steals a game, while also setting the Rockets’ single-season records in rebounds (385) and blocks (116) and ending her high school career with three regional championships.

Charles, who will play next year at NCAA Division I Princeton, ended the season with 20 double-doubles in 33 games, including two triple-doubles, as one of the area’s most versatile players on offense and defense. Burlington went 23-10 and took runner-up in the Fox Valley Conference at 15-3.

Charles was named to the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association’s Class 3A All-State first team Monday and to The Associated Press All-State 3A second team last week.

For her standout season, Charles was voted 2022 Northwest Herald Girls Basketball Player of the Year, as selected by the sports staff with input from area coaches. She’s the first player from Burlington Central to win the award.

Prairie Ridge senior guard Karsen Karlblom and Jacobs senior guard Mackenzie Leahy also were strongly considered.

“Her talent is indescribable,” Burlington coach Collin Kalamatas said of Charles this season. “What she’s able to do on the defensive end is obvious, but her presence under the basket and her ability to rebound is off the charts.

“She’s so good on both ends of the floor, and she hasn’t even reached her full potential. She’s going to be so good at the next level. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.”

Charles recently spoke to the Northwest Herald about her time at Burlington Central, what she is looking forward to most in college, being terrified of birds and more.

What will you remember most about your senior season?

Charles: One night in particular I’ll remember was senior night. That night was amazing. We had so much love from the crowd. It was packed, and everybody played so well. I’ll never forget that moment. Just overall, I’ll never forget this season. All the girls and just getting so close to them, I’ll never forget that.

Where would you most like to go on a vacation?

Charles: I would love to go to Bora Bora. I only like tropical places, really.

What sports moment was so huge you’ll always remember where you were when it happened?

Charles: I’ll never forget when Kobe Bryant died. I remember exactly where I was, what I was doing. It was so shocking and devastating when it all happened.

What is one of your biggest pet peeves?

Charles: When people talk with food in their mouths. It doesn’t even have to be an obnoxious amount.

What are three of your favorite TV shows or movies?

Charles: “Dynasty,” “Remember the Titans” and “Titanic.”

Which teammate makes you laugh the most?

Charles: Lauren Knief. She makes me laugh all the time, even if it’s something serious.

Which teammate inspires you?

Charles: I’d say Avery Andersen from last season. Her coming back from her ACL tear and seeing how hard she worked for things. She really inspired me to keep going and never take any opportunities for granted.

What is a sport you are bad at?

Charles: I’m actually really bad at softball or baseball, pretty much anything that involves hitting a ball.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Charles: Just to have fun while playing basketball. I obviously take it extremely serious on the court, but at the same time I’ve tried to have fun with it and not get overstressed in situations. I didn’t understand what that meant for the longest. But when I did actually start having fun, that’s when I was playing my best basketball.

Who is your favorite professional athlete?

Charles: [Milwaukee Bucks forward] Giannis Antetokounmpo. I absolutely love him.

What’s your favorite kind of ice cream?

Charles: Chocolate.

Who is your hero?

Charles: My hero is my dad because he’s not from America. He’s pretty much done everything from the bottom up. I am truly grateful and just awestruck by everything that he’s done. I do it all for him.

Who is your favorite teacher?

Charles: My AP environmental science teacher, Mr. [Nicholas] Scoliere.

What is something that scares you?

Charles: I’m actually terrified of birds. I think they’re so scary. I don’t trust them.

What is your most prized possession?

Charles: Besides my state [third-place Class 3A] medal from Montini my sophomore year, it’s probably my 1,000th-career point ball that I got this year. We got it cased up, and it means a lot to me.

What will you remember most about your time at Burlington Central?

Charles: I think what I’ll remember most is seeing all of the little girls at our games and seeing how amazed and happy they were to just watch us play.

If you could change one thing about basketball, what would it be?

Charles: I would probably change some of the calls. Some refs call the “Euro step” a travel, and others don’t depending on certain places where we play.

What are you looking forward to most at Princeton?

Charles: I’m just really excited to play at the next level. It’s going to be challenging. I’ll be hopefully unlocking a new level for myself that I haven’t even reached, so I’m just excited to see what happens, become best friends with all those girls, and just grow from there. I’m super excited for the next four years.