Jan. 15--Tai Streets is not about to tell Sam Taylor III to pick a lane.
After all, Streets, among the area's all-time great multisport athletes, never really did.
Sure, he lasted longer playing football than basketball. He logged six seasons as an NFL wide receiver from 1999-2004.
Even then, the former Rich South and Thornton football, basketball and track star remained involved in basketball.
In 2001, he founded the AAU team Meanstreets, which has developed into a national power. After four seasons as Thornton's freshman basketball coach, he landed his "dream job" as the school's varsity coach this season.
Taylor, Thornton's current dual-sport star, isn't built like the powerful 6-foot-3 Streets, who ultimately stuck with football over his "first love" because "I was too small to play basketball as a big guy."
What Taylor is, in Streets' estimation, is "the athlete of the year so far."
"One of the best quarterbacks in the state," Streets said, "and one of the best guards in the state. I'll take him any day."
Skinny, 5-foot-10, and completely unestablished in both sports heading into his senior year, Taylor has re-energized Thornton's tradition-rich football and basketball programs with his electric athleticism and fiercely competitive spirit.
After sitting out his junior football season with a broken left (non-throwing) arm, Taylor returned to the gridiron and threw for 1,450 yards and 25 touchdowns, rushed for 1,293 yards and 12 scores and led Thornton to a surprising 8-2 record in Dontrell Jackson's first season replacing long-time head coach Bill Mosel.
Never short on basketball talent, the Wildcats were all questions and no answers when Streets was tabbed to replace veteran coach Troy Jackson in May.
Taylor and fellow senior guard Patrick Rucker were the only returning players from the 2014-15 roster, and neither had a significant role.
"I didn't know what to expect," Streets said. "I knew I had some competitors for sure, but I didn't know how it would come together."
Twelve games in, Thornton (11-1) is ranked No. 9 in the Tribune Top 20. Not coincidentally, Taylor has become a two-sport star.
Taylor is lightning quick with a pure jump shot and has the ability to score and create for others off the dribble, and he possesses an undeniable competitive streak.
He led Thornton to the Big Dipper championship with a 67-59 victory against pre-tournament favorite Marian Catholic and was named the tournament MVP.
Thornton has picked up in 2016 where it left off in 2015, beating a good Lincoln-Way Central 77-57 last Friday behind 26 points from Taylor and knocking off No. 20 Joliet West on the road 56-50 on Tuesday.
"It is 100 percent those guys, Pat (Rucker) and Sam," Streets said. "They are ultimate competitors and they bring it every day. Pat vocally demands the most out of guys. Sam doesn't talk much, his play does his talking."
This weekend will provide more opportunities for Taylor and Thornton. The Wildcats will take on rival Thornwood on Friday and get another big test Sunday against No. 16 Young.
In between, Taylor plans to visit Northwood University, a Division II school in Michigan that has offered him a football scholarship.
Robert Morris has offered for both sports. Just now finding his footing in each, Taylor isn't sure which to pursue.
"I love them both equally," Taylor said. "I've been playing them both since I was 6."
Streets can relate.
"I say play them all," Streets said. "You never know what you're calling is going to be. You never know who is watching.
"That kid has the heart of a lion. I don't care how big you are, he is going to compete."
Mike Helfgot is a freelance reporter for Chicago Tribune.
