Sammy Smith setting the pace for Sherwood Christian basketball team

ALBANY — Sherwood Christian Academy’s Sammy Smith has never been afraid to drive the lane even if it means going against much bigger opponents.

Despite being a bit undersized, the Sherwood Christian guard is willing to take a couple of bumps and bruises now and then if it means finishing a layup or drawing a foul and going to the line.

The junior has become a leader for an Eagles team that is currently 6-7.

His fearlessness has led to his fair share of injuries. Last year, Smith missed five weeks after suffering a torn hip flexor during a game.

Earlier this week, he took an elbow to the head while driving the lane against Calvary Christian. The injury forced Smith to miss practice on Wednesday, but he knows that is the price he has to pay if he wants to get the job done.

“You’ve got to have that mentality, you can’t be afraid to go against bigger guys,” Smith said.

Smith started playing basketball when he was eight and has been starting at Sherwood since his sophomore year. He thinks being smaller has helped him become a better basketball player.

“Being a shorter guard, you always have to have your head on a swivel,” Smith said. “You’ve got to play hard, maybe even harder than you would if you were taller. Most of the guys think they can get the best of you, so you’ve got to be tough.”

Even though he is just a junior and only playing his second year on varsity, Sherwood Christian boys coach Chad Payn said he rarely has to remind Smith of the situation on the court because his guard is already thinking ahead.

“One thing about Sammy is he is smart, so he knows what needs to be done,” Payn said. “He makes wise plays. Very few times we have to tell him, ‘You need to be smart or you need to think’ because he already does that. He has become much better at driving and passing when he doesn’t have a shot. He is becoming a better team player than he was before.”

Smith tries to model his game after NBA stars like Kobe Bryant and James Harden, but has a much calmer demeanor. He is laid-back and is not one to show emotion.

“He leads by example and does what he needs to do on the court,” Payn said. “When we are winning or we are losing, he is going to lead by doing the job and putting points on the board while running the offense and what we need to run.”

One person he is not afraid to confront on the basketball court is his younger brother, Samuel, who is a freshman on the team. The brothers have gotten physical but have only had to be separated once.

Smith said despite the confrontations, he always tries to help his younger brother.

“I always try to encourage him,” he said. “He might have an off game, but I have had plenty of off games so I just encourage him. I tell him it will be better the next game.”

Through the first 13 games of the season, Smith has averaged 22 points. He also is shooting 67 percent from the free throw line.

The guard’s offensive ability was on full display during Sherwood’s game earlier this season against Fullington Academy. Smith dropped 34 points, including 16 of the Eagles’ final 20 points to lead them to victory.

“He makes plays happen,” Payn said. “He will shoot the three and he knows how to drive and make the layup. He makes things happen on offense.”

If the junior keeps making plays happen, Sherwood could become a force to be reckoned with.