Posted: Apr 10, 2014
McDowell attends Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, Kan. She has two seasons left of eligibility.
"I really liked the campus on my visit," McDowell said. "Coach Arnold seemed like he was really big into having me a part of the program. I think he can help me develop as a player and keep the success going that I've had in college."
McDowell ranked 18th in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) in 2013-14 for three-pointers made (69) and 39th in three-point field goal percentage at 36.0 percent. She averaged 8.5 points per game and helped guide the Cavaliers to a 30-2 record and consecutive Jayhawk Conference championships. McDowell was a part of the winningest class in school history.
McDowell made 26 treys as a freshman and shot 30 percent from behind the arc for the Cavaliers. Off the court, she was named a Scholar-Athlete.
Arnold expects McDowell and guard Morgan Vetter, who led the nation and set a new single-season school record last season in three-pointers made with 127, to form one of the most lethal shooting backcourts in the country next season.
"We would be hard pressed to find a player in the country that fits more perfectly with us than Taylor," Arnold said. "She's a big time shooter, smart, has been very well coached, and most importantly she is a winner! Adding Taylor with returning guards (Morgan) Vetter and (Sammie) Gathercole, we have a chance to be extremely dangerous from the perimeter, and of course, that allows our great group of bigs to have more space to work."
Before attending Johnson County, McDowell starred for four years at Shawnee Mission South High School in Overland Park. As a senior, she averaged 9.4 points per contest and helped lead the Raiders to the 2012 Kansas 6A state tournament. McDowell hit 61 buckets from behind the arc, shattering her own 2011 school record of 43.
McDowell ranks as the all-time leader in Raiders' history in three-pointers made with 109. A two-time captain, she was named to the All-Sunflower League team as a junior and senior.�
McDowell also played girls' soccer at Shawnee Mission South and was voted to the All-Sunflower League team as a sophomore and junior.
McDowell joins Jacquelyn Caravella and�Cassidy Cotton in the 2014 Signing Class.
Central Methodist finished last season 22-9 overall and 12-6 in the Heart of America Athletic Conference.
