Just days after graduating, Emily Smith announced the college of her choice and the sport of her choice. Last week, the Mansfield Christian Flames forward signed to play basketball for the Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars next winter.
During her high school career, Smith was also a standout for the Flames well-established soccer program at Comstock Field. For her play at outside defensive back, she was offered an opportunity to join fellow seniors Lexi Dilley and Jessica Harper at Mount Vernon Nazarene University. She said the school offered her the choice of either soccer or basketball.
In the end, Smith chose basketball.
“I ended up going to a couple of open gyms and really enjoyed meeting the team,” said Smith. The college saw enough talent to offer her an opportunity to play and Smith signed on June 5.
Smith’s high school career was not always an easy road but Smith would end her career on a high note. Under first-year head coach JR Wilson, the Flames battled their way to an improved 8 win season and won their first OHSAA tournament game in those four years.
“She was a big time leader for us,” said Wilson of his starting forward. “This year, she was one of my hardest-working girls out there…she let her play do the talking.”
Wilson said part of the effort this season was working on team defense. “I had to get girls to buy in to the fact that defense is number one,” said Wilson. A skilled rebounder and defender, Smith routinely frustrated defenders on their way to the rim, drawing an average of 1.5 charges per game.
Smith’s move to the next level will likely necessitate a position change and a lot more hard work. Her summer schedule includes workout regimen that will prepare her for program requirements under Mount Vernon head coach Jason Foster. Wilson called Smith one of his hardest working players and believes the best is yet to come.
“She’s like a sponge. She absorbs what a coach says and executes it,” said Wilson. As the program continues to build, Wilson noted that Smith has an open door to return to her alma mater to be a part of it.
In the meantime, the Flames’ forward has a future to pursue. Smith will major in Biology with the goal of becoming a physical therapist. She liked Mount Vernon because she felt the college offered the same values and atmosphere she enjoyed at Mansfield Christian.
She expressed thanks to Coach Wilson and teammates for their part in helping her on to the next level.
