Taylor earned his place as a Glenbard West legend

The names of local legends don't simply rattle off the tongue.

Names like John Shurna, they linger. Names like Justin Pierce, they endure.

Names like Evan Taylor.

At Glenbard West it's not difficult to list the boys basketball legends. And as someone steeped in recent program history, Taylor is close as can be to the source.

"(Shurna and Pierce have) been very helpful to me, encouraging me to be the best person I can be and the best player I can be," Taylor said. "It's been good to learn from such great players."

Add another name to the list of legends.

Passing Pierce and Shurna on the Hilltoppers' ladder of all-time leading scorers, Glenbard West senior Evan Taylor is the Daily Herald's DuPage County All-Area Captain for 2018-19.

Taylor joins Shurna, a 2008 graduate, and Pierce, a 2016 graduate, as Glenbard West players named All-Area Captains. It's a trio cherished by those close to the program.

It's a shortlist on which Taylor, committed to Southern Illinois University, absolutely belongs.

"He's definitely aware of what they accomplished," said Hilltoppers coach Tim Hoder. "He knows them because they come back here. They've worked in our gym and been around our guys. As important as basketball is to Evan, he understands his place in the program. He's one of the best we've had."

The last line

The last time through postgame handshakes is telling.

As Taylor, a 6-foot-6 wing, shook hands with opposing West Suburban Silver coaches for the sixth and final time this season, the comments he heard resonated with him.

"Almost every coach in the conference acknowledged me, and I was real happy about that," he said. "They were very complimentary about my career."

Taylor not only developed into one of the top players in DuPage County, he became one of the most respected. After a Glenbard West loss this season an opposing fan yelled down from the stands to congratulate Taylor on a well-played game. Taylor saluted back.

"He's highly respected on and off the court," said York coach Vince Doran. "When preparing for them, 90 percent of your time is spent on what to do about him. We had the pleasure of watching him grow as a player."

Taylor grew to new heights this season.

He was one of the best at getting to the basket, and perhaps the best with a midrange jumper elevating high above defenders. Taylor's point totals soared as his 3-point shot gained consistency.

Taylor was a one-man fastbreak, grabbing defensive rebounds and steaming down the court. No outlet pass necessary.

"His efficiency on the offensive end is amazing," said Downers Grove North coach Jim Thomas. "Every year he's added on to his game, and that's just a testament to his work ethic. It's real easy to root for a kid like that."

This season Taylor led DuPage County with 21.7 points and 10.2 rebounds a game. The Hilltoppers' primary ballhandler, he also averaged 3.8 assists.

Early in Glenbard West's regional victory over Naperville North, Taylor became the program's all-time leading scorer. With 1,479 points he passed Pierce, who passed Shurna.

In 83 games during three varsity seasons, Taylor averaged 17.8 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3 assists.

"I've always tried to keep myself grounded and just focused on getting better," he said. "My parents taught me the value of working hard."

Welcome home

Taylor's life changed in fourth grade when he and his family moved from Arizona to Glen Ellyn.

He just missed Shurna's time at Glenbard West.

He soon showed the ability to follow the footsteps in his path. By Taylor's freshman season playing on the sophomore team, as Pierce broke program records as a senior, everyone knew Taylor was next.

"After sixth grade he really took off," said Hilltoppers senior Caden Phillips. "You could tell he was going to be special. But it's never about him. He's the top scorer and rebounder in the county and you'd never know it. He's just so humble."

Taylor became a cornerstone in the Hilltoppers' basketball program and a role model in Glenbard West's hallways. He often speaks at surrounding schools and churches, and to community organizations.

Last summer he attended an African-American leadership conference in Detroit, and he's president of his Jack and Jill of America chapter. Taylor was also part of the interviewing process for a Glenbard West assistant principal.

All that and basketball while carrying a 4.8 GPA on a 5-point scale. Taylor's family - parents Edward and Lori, and siblings Justin and Sydney - provided the motivation and inspiration.

Taylor received his first scholarship offer from the University of Alabama-Birmingham after his freshman year, creating a long recruiting process. In addition to offers from schools like Southern Illinois and Loyola, Taylor considered numerous opportunities in the Ivy League and ultimately decided between the Salukis and Dartmouth.

"It felt really long, and it was a little tiring," he said. "But I appreciated the process and all the offers I received."

History taught Taylor that his days headlining Glenbard West's record books are likely numbered. Eventually that next local legend will come along.

Taylor welcomes him. Just as Shurna welcomed Pierce and Pierce welcomed Taylor.

He knows it's what local legends should do.

"I've been raised to not forget where I came from," Taylor said. "You don't forget about family, and you don't forget the people that helped you along the way. I'm grateful to everyone who helped me get to this point."

Twitter: @kevin_schmit