Smith Looking to Break Out in 2003-2004
Sometimes you show up at a game and you don't know what to expect.
JUCO Junction attended the Region XV Championship game last March at Westchester C.C. in Valhalla, N.Y., and we were hoping to see how much 6-11 center/power forward James Smith had improved since his high school days.
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Smith, who was a freshman at Westchester last winter, didn't suit up for the Westcos that day as the Westcos were dumped in the title game by Monroe College of the Bronx, N.Y.
According to Westchester Head Coach Winston Nicholas, Smith had been involved in a recent traffic accident.
Smith enjoyed a nice senior season at nearby Nyack H.S. in Nyack, N.Y., and Nicholas is hoping that the finesse oriented big man can build on his nine point per game average from a season ago at Westchester.
"He has some legit skills," Nicholas noted. "But he has to continue to get stronger."
When we saw Smith as a high school senior, we liked his nimble feet and ability to step away from the basket and shoot. He almost plays like more of a power forward than a true five man.
While it's very early, high majors such as Texas A&M and Florida State have contacted Nicholas this fall regarding Smith.
"He could be the ideal red-shirt candidate," Nicholas said. "If someone would do that with James, they could have a heck of a player in another year."
JUCO Junction will catch Westchester in action this winter, so we'll let you know how Smith looks for the Westcos in the not too distant future. Stay tuned!