Archbishop Spalding junior Maggie Morrison has orally committed to play basketball for Vanderbilt in 2011-12.

Morrison chose the Southeastern Conference university in Nashville over 52 other programs, including Kansas State, Nebraska, James Madison, Delaware, Drexel, Richmond and Liberty.

She said that in addition the campus, coaches and players, she also liked the Commodores' style of play and their high level of dedication.

"They play just like I do," Morrison said. "They like to push the tempo, but at the same time, they can slow it down, run an offense, run plays and they all play tough. They all play hard the entire time. I talked to some of the girls and they all say, 'We're willing to work. We want to compete for a national championship.' They want to do well and that's something that appeals to me, too."'

A multi-talented 5-foot-8 All-Metro guard, Morrison averaged 14 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals for the No. 2 Cavaliers, who were runners-up in the IAAM A Conference. A strong shooter with 3-point range, Morrison was the court leader for the Cavaliers.

Her high school coach Bookie Rosemond said she would be a great fit for Vanderbilt, which plays in the highly-competitive SEC.

“Going to one of the best conferences around, playing LSU and Tennessee a couple times -- and Vanderbilt has a legitimate chance to compete for the national title -- she’s up for the challenge,” Rosemond said.

Morrison was also an All-Metro first-team selection in soccer, scoring 18 goals and 10 assists for the No. 1 Cavaliers last fall. She scored six game-winning goals, including one in the 2-0 A Conference title game against Mercy.

Even with her success in soccer, Morrison said she always knew she would play basketball in college.

"I used to play with my older brother. When I was younger and all his friends were playing in the neighborhood, I used to go out and just play with them all day, hours upon hours," said Morrison, whose brother Pat now plays lacrosse at Maryland.

She is undecided on a major and said she would like to play professionally, if not in the WNBA then overseas.

Morrison will keep working toward that this summer with her Amateur Athletic Union team the Maryland Lady Terps.