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01/09/2012 01:15 PM

Athlete of the Week: Lady Panther plows through competition

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At the top of nearly every important statistical category on the Pflugerville girls basketball team, you can find I'Tiana Taylor.

With her team-best 14 points and 11 rebounds leading the way, the Lady Panthers have a perfect record of 28-0 this season, and are ranked second in the state in Class 5A.

Head Coach Nancy Walling can't help but gush when talking about her best player.

"Just when I say her name it makes me smile because she's so much fun to watch,” she said. “She's competitive, fiery, passionate. I haven't seen that out of a lot of kids. Actually, she's the most passionate and competitive person I've ever had."

Best of all, it comes naturally to the talented post. Taylor said basketball is all she has known from an early age.

"I just grew up playing basketball,” Taylor said. “When I was born, all I picked up was a basketball. No other ball, just a basketball. Orange--that's all I know is orange."

The Lady Panthers have made multiple state tournaments, but never won a championship

"This year, we're going to win it,” Taylor said. “We're going to win it."

I'Tiana and the Lady Panthers will try to move to 29-0 Tuesday night when they face-off with district rival, Georgetown.