Smith is the first signing of several the 2012 defending NJCAA Region XVII champs expect to make in this off-season. The 5-foot-6 sharpshooter will be the second women’s collegiate basketball player in her family. Step-sister Alexa Evans is just across town playing as a junior guard at Berry College.
“To be able to compete at this level with this team, I’m really happy about it,” said Smith.
A four-year basketball and softball player with the Lady Indians, Smith took part in the Lady Bobcats' first open workout of the season in April.
“She is going to fit in just fine,” said Lady Bobcats head coach Jim Williams.
The shooting guard will be among several signings helping replace outgoing Lady Cats Kacyi McGee, Mia Morrow, Kelsie Philpot, and Jessica Williams.
“These four were a huge part in our run at the end of last season,” Williams added. “We need to reload.”
The daughter of Steve Smith and Pam Gilstrap, Smith plans to enroll in GNTC’s Culinary Arts program.
“My mom helped coach me when I was younger,” said Smith. “But as I got older, it was more of a family effort in regards to what shaped who I am on the court.”
Smith will be joining GNTC sophomores Kenisha Watkins and Emily Cole on the perimeter this year.
“We will have a lot of accuracy from outside this season,” said Williams. “All three of these young women know how to play aggressively and know how to light it up from behind the 3-point line.”
Although the hot hand from Floyd County has played organized basketball for 15 years, she plans on doing her first cooking in the Culinary Arts program.
“I’m hoping to take part in that and focus on getting my degree first and foremost,” said Smith. “The shot at playing college basketball and staying in the region is an added bonus. I’m really looking forward to everything.”
For more information on Bobcats and Lady Cats Athletics at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, contact the Office of Sports Information at (706) 764-3813 or e-mail to dfoley@gntc.edu.
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