FARMVILLE, Va. – Longwood University senior women’s basketball guard Crystal Smith|Richmond is this week’s Longwood Female Athlete of the Week. The 5-8 starter led the Lancers to back-to-back conference home wins, averaging 27.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists, while shooting a perfect 100% (16-16) on free throw opportunities, to help the team improve to an undefeated 3-0 in league play. On Jan. 3, the senior guard set a new career high with 32 points, including a personal-best 12 made free throws, in the squad's 87-75 victory against Gardner-Webb University. She followed that performance with her first double-double of the season, tallying 23 points and 11 rebounds, in the Lancers' 79-74 win against Winthrop University. Smith narrowly missed a triple-double, as she added nine assists in the contest.
Smith was named the Big South Conference Women's Basketball Choice Hotels Player of the Week and earned Madness Mid-Major Women's Basketball Player of the Week accolades from collegesportsmadness.com for her performances last week, as well.
Question and Answer Session with Crystal Smith
Q: How does it feel to be a veteran leader on such a young team?
A: Sometimes it’s kind of hard because you have to concentrate on doing well all the time so people can follow your lead, but it’s pretty cool to lead a group of freshmen that are so talented.
Q: Do you find yourself giving any advice to the younger players?
A: Yes, I try to help Daeisha (Brown) out at the point guard position because she’s kind of new to the position. I try to tell her little things to do that will make her better.
Q: Which of your teammates do you most look up to?
A: Chelsea (Coward) because she’s been leading our team all year. She works hard every day at practice and goes hard all the time.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you would give to a young athlete?
A: Work hard ever day and enjoy it because when your senior year comes you’re going to realize that you will miss playing basketball.
Q: What’s your favorite thing about Longwood Basketball?
A: My favorite thing is that people underestimate us, so we’re always the underdog, but I feel like we’re going to end up shocking a lot of people.
Q: Why did you choose Longwood?
A: Because it’s close to home and I liked the coaching staff.
Q: What’s your favorite Longwood tradition?
A: Spring Weekend
Q: What’s the most memorable moment of your career so far?
A: The announcement that Longwood got into the Big South because it gave me something to look forward to my senior year.
Q: Are you looking forward to the Big South schedule?
A: Yes. I think we should do pretty well. We play a lot of strong teams outside of the conference, so it kind of prepares us to be ready for our conference play.
Q: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
A: I say a prayer during the National Anthem
Q: What are your goals for the rest of the season?
A: For myself, I want to limit my turnovers and rebound more. As a team, I would like us to make it to the Big South Conference Tournament final.
