BEVERLY - A lot of students like to head south for spring break.
Taylor Buchanan won't be one of them, though, because she'll already be there - south, that is, as in West Palm Beach, Fla.
The Fort Frye senior signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball and continue her education at Palm Beach Atlantic University in a ceremony at the Beverly-based school Friday.
Article Photos
Photo courtesy of Pam Brooker
Fort Frye senior Taylor Buchanan signed a National Letter of Intent Friday to play basketball and continued her education at Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Fla. Sitting, left to right are is her sister Kasey Buchanan (sister), Taylor Buchanan, Bob Buchanan (father), and Missy Buchanan (mother). Standing, left to right, are AAU Coach Glenn Dawson, Grandma and Grandpa Erb and Fort Frye girls’ head coach Dan Liedtke.
Buchanan's planning on majoring in business.
"I went there (PBA) for a visit, and they offered me a full ride," Buchanan said. "It's a great opportunity for me. It's beautiful in south Florida, and I really liked the coach (Carlos Palacio)."
Buchanan, a 5-foot-11 pivot player, said she also considered some other colleges but liked Palm Beach Atlanti best.
Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) is an NCAA Division II school and a member of the Independent Collegiate Athletic Association, which also includes women's basketball teams' Daemon College, Oakland City University, Salem International University, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Washington Adventist University.
Currently, Palacio is in his first year at the helm of the Sailfish who finished with a 7-19 record last season.
Buchanan, an FFHS starter since her freshman campaign, was an Ohio Division III first-team honoree last season as a junior. Averaging for her career 15.6 points, 5.2 assists, 4.0 assists, 2.7 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, she was instrumental in helping the Lady Cadets compile a 22-3 overall record last year, which included a regional semifinal appearance at the Ohio University Convocation Center. From the foul line, she's an 82 percenter.
When Buchanan was a sophomore, Fort Frye 20-4, and in her frosh season, the Lady Cadets were 17-6.
Last season, Buchanan was also both a D3 first teamer and Player of the Year in the East District. She also was a District 12 first-teamer, All-Ohio Valley Athletic Conference, All-Pioneer Valley Conference, and both an OHSBCA Top 100 and WTAP-Burger King honoree.
Buchanan also played AAU ball for the Mid-Ohio Valley Xtreme under the guidance of Glenn Dawson.
In the classroom, Buchanan owns a 3.98 GPA, and is eighth in a class of 91. She posted a 24 on her ACT.
Buchanan is the daughter of Bob and Melissa Buchanan of Lowell. She has a younger sister Kasey.
