Smith set to take her game, N. Stars to even higher level
When basketball has taken you as many places as it has St. Charles North senior Kelsey Smith - and will take you to even more - it's an easy game to love.
Smith spent a week of her past summer in France, thanks to basketball.
Next fall she'll be playing in East Lansing, Mich., where she'll be attending a Big Ten school on full ride, thanks again to basketball.
So even with so much to look forward to, and so many great experiences already behind her, this 6-foot-5 force around the basket is keeping her focus on the present day...which means trying to lead the North Stars even farther into the postseason.
"I've worked really hard to get where I am," Smith said. "It's a nice reward to be in that spot (Michigan State scholarship) but at the same time high school basketball season is very important so I'm focusing on that. It's nice to have the college out of the way."
Smith's team lost all five games it played in France against teams of 18-year-olds who attend basketball schools and spend even more time playing the game than even the dedicated American teenagers on their AAU squads.
"It was awesome," Smith said. "Not just playing with international players who are so good but seeing a whole different culture and being totally out of your element."
Smith, who takes Spanish at St. Charles North, was, but still had a great time on the trip with her mom Carin. Normally it is her father Mark, who coached boys basketball at St. Charles North, who accompanies her to many of her AAU tournaments.
"We struggled a little but still came away with great experience," Smith said.
Her high school coach, Katie Sauber, knows that tournament and all Smith's play in the summer against top-flight competition will only help the North Stars this winter.
Smith said she is working on expanding her game to include a 15 to 17-foot jump shot.
"Everything she has done in the off-season will help," Sauber said. "She enjoyed herself. It was a great experience."
The North Stars are coming off a 23-6 season, tying a school record for wins and winning their first regional and sectional titles.
That kind of success will make them a target for other teams to try to knock off this year, which is just the way Smith likes it.
"We have set the ball really high," Smith said. "We want to keep making steps from where we went last year so hopefully go downstate, win conference, beat some good teams and be a team that other teams want to beat."
Smith said she wants to be more of an all-around player this year, but also is ready to do whatever her coach wants.
Smith stayed busy all fall on the St. Charles North volleyball team. She had one day off from when the volleyball season ended Saturday until the first day of basketball practice Monday.
"Going right into the other sport I'm making sure I'm staying in shape," Smith said. "I kind of like to always be out there and keep myself busy. I'm really excited."
Why wouldn't she be? It's basketball season, and basketball has taken Smith some exciting places. Maybe this winter it will take her to Bloomington-Normal.