For every high school athlete, the ultimate goal is to go onto bigger and better things by playing at the next level. On Friday in the Charles Henderson cafeteria, one high school senior saw her dreams come true as she signed the dotted line and accepted a scholarship to play college basketball.

Tajianah Brundidge, or just simply “Taj” to friends and family, accepted a scholarship to play with Alabama Southern, a community college in Monroeville.

“I’m just excited to move on to the next level, whether it was a D1 or a JUCO, it didn’t matter,” Brundidge said. “I just wanted to further my education and play what I wanted to play, and that’s basketball. I’m just excited to start this summer and work hard and get better and eventually go to a four-year college after.”

Brundidge was joined on stage by her dad, Calvin Brundidge, and high school coach Dyneshia Jones, who said she was proud to see one of her own move on to the next level of play.

“This is what I love to see,” Jones said. “Scholarship wise, it is important, but even if they don’t sign just to see them go to school somewhere is what it’s all about.”

Jones had the opportunity to coach Brundidge all four years of her high school playing career and said she had been able to see a huge shift in Brundidge’s attitude.

“She’s matured athletically and academically,” Jones said. “Her freshman year, you know as with all freshman, she didn’t want to work hard to a certain extent and made excuses a lot. But her senior year, she was team captain. I’ve always pushed everyone to work hard and everything else so there was complete difference. After that I knew that she was going to sign, so I’m very proud.”

While her season won’t start until the summer, Brundidge said she’s already set some goals for herself.

“I’m going to try to work harder than my teammates at practice,” Brundidge said. “I know they’re my teammates, but I’m going to try to work hard and start over them and be able to start over some sophomores that have been there. That’s my main goal to be able to start and be able to work hard and get better.”

Brundidge was excited for the opportunity but realizes how much she will miss her Charles Henderson teammates.

“They’re wonderful,” Brundidge said. “I love all of them. We had a young team this year, and they basically had an older kids mentality but I loved all of them. I’m going to miss playing with them and miss the excitement before the games and all that.”