The women's basketball team is set and ready for action this year with three juniors, nine sophomores and one freshman; Brooke Taylor.

This 6-foot-1 Bismark, Mo., native was a four-time All-State selection, four-time All- Conference, All-District, All-Region, honor roll student, team captain, academic All-State for four years and valedictorian in high school.

During her four years of varsity basketball at Bismark High School she was part of three-time district and two–time conference championships. Taylor also holds Bismark High's school record for points and rebounds.

As a freshman in high school she averaged 17.9 points, 11.2 rebounds and 3.7 blocks in each game she played, and during her sophomore year Taylor averaged 24.6 points and 13.1 rebounds per game.

Her junior year she averaged 32.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, 4 steals, 4.4 assists and 1.5 blocks per game. She shot 50 percent from the field including 58 percent from the three-point range, shot 80-percent from the free throw line and scored a season-high 40 points in the Class 2 Sectional game. As a senior she led the team to a 23-4 record and conference title, averaged 23.8 points, 9.9 rebounds and 4 steals per game. She shot 48 percent from the field, 82 percent from the free-throw line and scored 30 or more points in five games. Throughout her high school career she scored a total of 2,600 points.

She was recruited not only by Southeast, but also by DePaul University, Eastern Illinois, Murray State, Florida Gulf Shores, Saint Louis University and Southern Mississippi.

"She can play multiple positions," said Head Coach John Ishee on why he recruited her. "Brooke creates match-up problems for the opposition because she's big and competitive enough to play forward yet she can also step up as a guard. She's a prolific shooter and has great character."

Taylor said she chose to go to Southeast because it was close to home and fits her well as an education major. "I want to leave with a degree in special education and become the best player I can be," Taylor said.

The first two weeks were rough for Taylor because she didn't know anyone and being the only freshman on a new team was an adjustment.

She quickly caught onto Southeast's style of play, and said many of the girls helped her with the transition because a lot of them went through the same thing last year.

One teammate in particular, sophomore guard Shelah Fields, influenced her a lot by consistently motivating Taylor to do her best.

"She's mature and is a sweet person that's always willing to help," said Fields. "I look forward to seeing her do what she's capable of doing and that's being a really good player. She can help the team a lot."

Taylor recently faced an iron deficiency that has been holding her back from performing as normal.

"I've been working with it and it's been alright," said Taylor. "People have been very supportive in keeping me focused."

Now Taylor is looking onto the season as the Redhawks get ready to take on the season and prove all doubters wrong.

"My goal for the team is to consistently improve throughout the season," Taylor said. "There's no limit on what we can do."