Custer’s Keller inks with Skylights

Montana State University-Northern head women’s basketball coach Chris Mouat has announced the signing of Taylor Keller to join the Skylight program next fall.      

Mouat said, “We are thrilled that Taylor has chosen to continue her athletic and academic careers at MSU-Northern.  She is a quality student-athlete and all along we have felt like she is one of the best point guards in the state.”

Keller, a 5’6” guard from Custer, is a four-year starter while playing for her father, Jeff.  She was a two-time All-State selection and was a four-time All-Conference pick.  This season, she averaged 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists while helping Custer to a State Class C Tournament berth.  At the State C Tournament, Keller played with a torn meniscus and earned All-Tournament honors.  She also played in Malta’s HIT Tournament two weeks after arthroscopic surgery.  At the HIT, she was selected to the All-Tournament team and won the 3-point contest.  Most recently, she was named to the Great Falls Super State Team as one of the top ten players in Montana.

Mouat said, “Taylor has been well-coached and she brings a pretty complete package to our program.  She has the ability to hurt you in a number of ways offensively, and is very sound at the defensive end of the floor.  She is a skilled handler and passer, and she shoots the ball very well from the perimeter.  She is someone we look at as having the potential to be a difference-maker in our program for four years.”

This season, Keller shot 45% from the field and 39% from the three-point line.  She shot nearly 75% from the free throw line and set the career mark for free throw percentage at Custer High School.  But, according to Mouat, the intangible things are what set her apart.

“One of the biggest things I liked about Taylor is her toughness,” he said.  “She is an outstanding competitor and will do what it takes to win.  I was able to watch her play at the State Tournament this year and was extremely impressed.  She played really well despite being in a lot of pain.”

Keller is the daughter of Jeff and Corinna Keller.  She carries a 3.5 Grade Point Average and is a member of the National Honor Society.