ALBANY, Ga (WALB)— A Monroe Comprehensive High School senior is being recognized nationwide for her academic achievement. Taylor McKinzy has scored more than 1,400 points in her basketball career, and her work in the classroom is now opening another door to her future.

For three years, McKinzy has made a name for herself on the court, scoring points and helping lead Monroe deep into the state playoffs.

“It feels good to be recognized nationally of all the hard work I put in in the classroom. It just feels good to be noticed,” McKinzy said.

National recognition

McKinzy has been selected for the National Society of High School Scholars, an honor recognizing students for academic achievement, leadership and community commitment.

For the three-year varsity starter, the challenge has been finding room for both basketball and academics.

“It’s just come naturally. You just think, oh, I got to do my school work,” McKinzy said.

That discipline is carrying her toward a future in engineering. McKinzy said basketball is teaching her skills for that career.

“Basketball requires a team, of course, communicating with other people, talking to them, building that relationship to be able to play with them on the court. Where I should have a relationship with my coworkers at work,” McKinzy said.

Senior season goals

McKinzy enters her senior season chasing 2,000 career points and a state championship that has slipped away after Elite Eight runs, Final Fours and a state title appearance.

“I want more. Obviously, I have to hit my 2,000 points. I want to win. We need to win. If we don’t win, what’s all of this it’s been for?” McKinzy said.

McKinzy said she did not expect the attention she has received.

“To be honest, I didn’t think I’d be even, like, this big of a deal, or even talked about, or even honored,” McKinzy said. “So, I look at the stuff that I did at Monroe as an accomplishment.”

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