There are a number of basketball players in the area that are putting up big numbers already. One of them is Lake guard Rashad Smith.

The senior guard, who stands 5-feet-11, has taken his game to new heights this year, averaging 23 points while serving as the team's primary offensive weapon.

He's led the team in scoring five of its six games, including a season-high of 29 in the team's win over Genoa.

Lake senior guard Rashad Smith drives in the Flyer's 69-40 win over Northwood Tuesday night. (Press photo by Don Thompson/picasaweb.google.com/ donrachael)

The Flyers have dominated, outscoring opponents by an average of 31.2 points. They’ve defeated Bettsville (91-30), Genoa (87-52), Oak Harbor (78-44), Elmwood (67-55), Old Fort (89-73) and Northwood (69-40) and currently stand at 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the Northern Buckeye Conference.

Offensively, the Flyers, who average 80.1 points, employ a fast-break offense, moving the ball up and down the court at will, trying to prevent the opposing team from having a chance to set up its defense.

“We like to get the ball up and down the floor and, if there's an open shot, I like for our kids to take it,” said Lake coach Ryan Bowen, now in his second season. “I like a bad shot much more than a turnover.”

Needless to say, that style of play suits Smith’s talents quite well.

“Rashad is tough to guard,” said Bowen, a 1992 Lake graduate. “If you guard him tight, he can go around you. If you play off him, he can shoot the ball. He's got great body control when he gets to the hoop. You’ve got to pick your poison with him.”

Smith said, “I normally like to shoot the three and I like to drive. It depends on whatever the opponent gives me.” 

Smith’s success comes not just from his talent and athletic ability, but from his love of the game.

Basketball is the only sport he plays, and he participates in it year-round, whether it be in AAU competition or just shooting around at the YMCA in Toledo.

Smith, who is originally from Toledo and now lives in Walbridge, is looking to play basketball collegiately and lists the University of Michigan as one of his top choices. In fact, he played AAU ball with two current Wolverines, Tim Hardaway, Jr. and Trey Burke.

“In AAU ball, it's normally tougher competition. You’re going out of town to other states and playing with a variety of talent,” he said of the multi-sport organization that a number of stellar athletes, among them Peyton Manning and Derek Jeter, have been a part of.

Smith has had success playing basketball at the high school level for much of his three-and-a-half years at Lake. He helped lead the freshman team to the Suburban Lakes League championship and, last season, led the now-defunct SLL in scoring, averaging 17.4 points.

Sadly, though, he was unable to play basketball during his sophomore season because of grades, something he appears intent on not letting happen again.

“My teachers are excellent, they’re working with me,” he said. “Normally, I have to study a lot, so I don’t have a lot of free time.”

Smith says that, in his limited leisure time, he likes to play video games and spend time with friends.

“I have a lot of friends, a lot of kids that I can trust,” the senior explained. 

One of his friends on and off court has been fellow senior Josh Tantari, a 6-3 guard who is averaging 17.7 points. Smith, the oldest of four children, credits Tantari with being a tremendous competitor.

“Well, Josh, when he gets on the court, he just has that fire in his eyes that no one can do anything to stop him,” he said. “As far as driving, passing, shooting, steals, on-ball defender and off-ball defender, he’s really good.”

Smith also spent time with Tantari in the weight room during the fall in preparation for the season.

“I was not able to keep up with Josh (in the weight room) — that man is just a hard worker,” said Smith. “My work ethic cannot keep up with Josh's work ethic. I appreciate working out with him because it teaches me things.”  

Bowen knows that if Smith is able to fully invest himself in basketball, great things are on the horizon.

“He is a typical player that loves to play the game,” said Bowen. “We've tried to really get him to buy into the system. If he could work a little bit harder, the sky could be the limit for him.”

Regardless, Bowen understands that he has a special player on his hands.

“He's just really special when the ball gets in his hands. It’s nice to be able to coach a kid like that,” Bowen said.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed