CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas men's basketball program has signed the state's top-rated player in Layne Taylor of Farmington, Ark.

Taylor, a 5-11, 180-pound point guard for the Cardinals, is the No. 3 all-time scorer in Arkansas high school history with 3,372 career points. He was the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette All-Arkansas Preps Player of the Year this season.

Taylor, who led the Cardinals to a runnerup finish at the Class 4A State Tournament last month, averaged 25.3 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists while shooting 39 percent from three-point range as a senior. His Farmington teams had an overall record of 124-12 in his four seasons.

Taylor was a four-time All-State selection and a three-time All-State Tournament selection. He is ranked as the No. 20 point guard prospect in the nation by 24/7 Sports and is the top-ranked recruit in UCA program history.

"You go anywhere in the state of Arkansas and talk basketball and everyone talks about Layne Taylor," said new UCA head coach John Shulman. "He is everything that is right about the game. He is a winner, he scores the ball, he passes the ball, he competes.

"He is the point guard that just controls the game. He is a student of the game. He is a coach's son, he is special."

"The best thing I can say about him now is he's a Bear! His commitment to Central Arkansas should show the basketball world that it is now cool to come to Central Arkansas and play basketball."