USA - A chance to play for the USA

From www.theledger.com
Download source here

Andrea Smith has stepped up her game in college and now gets a chance to show it off on the national stage.

The former Lake Gibson Brave received an invitation this week to take part in the USA Basketball women's 2009 Junior National Team Trials.

"I'm very excited because it doesn't happen often," Smith said.

The tryouts will take place May 14-17 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Smith has an opportunity to be selected as one of 12 members on either the 2009 FIBA U-19 World Championship Team or the 2009 World University Games Team.

"I'm a little nervous," the 18-year-old said. "I think the first day I'll be a little nervous and after that I'll just play basketball."

Playing at a high level this season at Gulf Coast Community College helped Smith book her first trip to the West.

After earning First-Team All-County recognition her senior season at Lake Gibson, she averaged 18.1 points per game to help the Lady Commodores (27-3) finish as the No. 6 team in the country.

The freshman was rewarded for her efforts.

Smith was named to the WBCA/State Farm Coaches' All-America Team, the Florida Community College Activities Association's All Tournament team, the All-FCCAA team and was the Panhandle Conference's freshman of the year.

"It was all a surprise," Smith said. "I wasn't expecting any."

Smith said improving her defense and jump shot, and shaping up her physique, have helped her excel on the college court.

"My game has gotten better," she said. "I learned a lot of different things."

She also acknowledged that playing against talented players in high school helped prepare her, and her twin sister Andrell, for the next level.

"The competition was good," she said. "We had Tiffany Hayes go to Connecticut and a couple of other girls go to big schools, too. … They prepared us."

Next season, Smith will have a familiar presence alongside her. Andrell, who also is a former First-Team All-County selection, is expected to be back on the court for the Lady Commodores. She played in three games this season before tearing the ACL in her knee during practice.

Andrea Smith said her sister should be ready in August after she was redshirted this season.

"It's just like carrying over through our lives basically from high school to AAU and everything else," Smith said. "So it's going to be good."

After next season, both sisters hope to continue playing together on the NCAA Division I stage and have received a lot of interest so far.

Representatives from Texas A&M, Pittsburgh, Kentucky, Florida State and Florida have attended games or sent them letters already.

"Whatever happens, happens," Andrea said. "We're going to go somewhere. I hope it's a good school."