It was not exactly clear what was happening on the other end of the phone line. For all the listener in Madison could tell, it was one big party at Ripon High School celebrating Taylor Wurtz's special day.

"Nothing's happening," Wurtz said. "I just like to laugh a lot."

That was confirmed a few hours later by Lisa Stone, the coach of the Wisconsin Badgers women's basketball team who was announcing Wednesday afternoon that Wurtz had signed her letter of intent to play for the Badgers next season.

"She giggles a lot," said Stone, laughing herself at the memory of all those recruiting phone calls to Wurtz. "She's a very happy-go-lucky young woman. There was probably more laughter in our phone calls than anything."

But the signing of Wurtz is no laughing matter to the Badgers. In the 6-foot guard, Stone believes she is getting the most versatile and most talented player in the state to come on board.

"She is by far, in our opinion, the best player in the state in her class," Stone said. "I'm looking forward to her stepping in right away and contributing right away."

That's the sort of pressure Wurtz felt all summer as she was on display for coaches from all around the country during the AAU season. Wurtz played for Wisconsin Fastbreak, the team that in the past featured current UW players Caitlin Gibson, Lin Zastrow and Mariah Dunham. Wurtz joined the team as a freshman and played with Zastrow and Dunham before they became Badgers.

Stone said she saw all but one of Wurtz's game last summer, a level of interest that helped sway Wurtz's decision to come to UW and pass up offers from Michigan, Rutgers and Louisville, among others.

"I just loved the coaching staff," said Wurtz, a multi-sport talent who also plays tennis and runs track at Ripon. "But the biggest thing was the opportunity to play close to home so my friends and family would have a chance to see me."

By Stone's account, those friends, family and UW fans will see what she called "a ready-made player" who has few weaknesses in her game.

"She can hold her own on the court with anybody, and I think that comes a lot with playing with guys. She does that often. No one's perfect, but she's a gym rat.

"She shows up at the gym at 5:30 in the morning. You tell her to work on her mid-range game, her post moves or moving her feet defensively, she'll do it and never be satisfied. She has a very bright future in college, and in my opinion, beyond."

For Wurtz, her decision last September to attend UW and the signing of the letter of intent allows her to concentrate on what she wants most out of her senior season. "I definitely want to end my high school career with a win," she said, knowing full well that would mean a state championship.

Ripon came within one win of reaching the state field last season when Wurtz averaged 21.4 points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals per game. She already is the school record-holder for points (1,343) and has averaged 19.4 points per game in her first three years. She also is the school record-holder in assists, steals and three-pointers.