Frederick, USD on verge of NCAA Tourney bid

 VERMILLION, S.D. (March 11) -- For Taylor Frederick, life as an NCAA Division I basketball player is starting to resemble her days as a multi-sport star for Harlan Community High School.
 The University of South Dakota junior is enjoying the best individual season of her career so far, starting all 31 games and averaging 8.0 points and 3.4 rebounds.
 As a team, the Coyotes were ranked 25th in last week’s USA Today Coaches Poll and took a 27-4 record into Monday’s Summit League Tournament semifinal vs. North Dakota. USD’s record the last three years is a sparkling 79-20.
 In addition to the individual and team success, Frederick is also enjoying the camaraderie of a tight-knit group of teammates, several who hail from small midwestern towns just as she does.
 All things considered, the Earling native and daughter of Jay and Kathy Frederick says that her experience as a Coyote has been everything she hoped it would be.
 “Everything I wanted it to be and more,” she said. “Just the girls that I’ve gotten to meet, the coaches, the community... I could not want anything more than what I’ve been given here, so I’m very thankful.”
 Frederick, a 2016 HCHS graduate, was a central figure in the Cyclone girls’ memorable two-sport dynasty earlier this decade. She played in eight state volleyball and basketball tournaments combined, highlighted by back-to-back championships in both sports as a sophomore and junior and one state runner-up season in each as well.
 As of Sunday, ESPN.com women’s basketball bracketologist Charlie Creme had South Dakota projected as a number seven seed for the NCAA Tournament, which begins on Friday, March 22. The Coyotes have enhanced their tournament resume this winter with victories over nationally-ranked opponents Iowa State and Missouri and also own a season-opening win at Creighton, when Frederick scored a career-high 26 points.