Connected Abt is Ecstatic About HC

Ron Bailey, Publisher

Holy Cross snags talented frontcourt man.

September 12, 2010 - Audibly happy, almost giddy with excitement, 6'8", 215 Class of 2010 power forward Taylor Abt proudly said "It feels great", before happily laughing today. What created such joy in this 3.25 GPA student athlete at Georgetown Prep, one that loves math? Today, he committed to Holy Cross.

Why did Abt chose to become a member of Holy Cross' basketball family, led by head coach Milan Brown?

"Namely because the coaching staff is great in general. I have great connections with all the coaches" is how he first answered the question. Later of Brown, Abt opined "He's a good coach. I had a great connection with him from he beginning. He's one of the big reasons I chose Holy Cross".

Brown, in his first year at Holy Cross, received yeoman's work from assistant coach Dan Engelstad, point man for his recruitment. Engelstad followed Brown over from Mt. St. Mary's after last season.

Taylor Abt, here blocking a shot, can give a coach many things.

In addition to considering Holy Cross "a great academic school", Abt's interactions with the Holy Cross Basketball family sealed the deal, as he "fit in with the players". As far as majors, Taylor is "thinking of something in the accounting field".

Holy Cross beat out several Ivy League schools, in addition a number of Patriot League rivals and Vermont.

Taylor's recruiting profile was strengthened this summer with Mid-Atlantic Select; their 17u team won several tourney's and was a force in others. Of the experience, Abt was grateful, indicating "It was good, I played for Coach James (Lee) on Mid-Atlantic select. We had a pretty good team; we basically did what Coach told us".

Abt continues to listen to those around him, as he understands the need to get stronger on the court: Long and active, Taylor can shoot mid-range shots, rebound, and tally rejections. Increased strength development will allow him to bang around in the Patriot League's paint, a necessary function for that conference's power forwards. It will also facilitate his stated goal for the 2010-2011 season at Georgetown Prep, a desire to "win the (Interstate Athletic Conference) championship".

Brown's Crusader program is on the move, and has just secured the commitment of an excellent student athlete in Taylor Abt. Congrats go out to all involved.
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