Georgia Northwestern Signs First Addition For 2012-13: Armuchee's Sierra Smith

Georgia Northwestern Women's Head Basketball Coach Jim Williams, left, speaks with one of his latest signings, Armuchee High School standout, Sierra Smith. The 5-foot-6 guard will join the 2012 NJCAA Sweet 16 program this fall."

 

Media release: Just two months removed from their Sweet 16 run in the 2012 NJCAA National Tournament, Georgia Northwestern began rebuilding for 2012-13 campaign with the signing of Armuchee High School's Sierra Smith.

 

Smith is the first signing of several the 2012 defending NJCAA Region XVII champs expect to make in this off-season. The 5-foot-6 sharpshooter will be the second women's collegiate basketball player in her family. Step-sister Alexa Evans is just across town playing as a junior guard at Berry College.

 

"To be able to compete at this level with this team, I'm really happy about it," said Smith. The four-year basketball and softball student-athlete from Armuchee took part in the Lady Bobcats first open workout of the season in April. "She is going to fit in just fine. We are really looking forward to it," said Lady Cats Head Basketball Coach Jim Williams.

 

The shooting guard will be among several signings helping replace outgoing Lady Cats Kacyi McGee, Mia Morrow, Kelsie Philpot, and Jessica Williams. "These four were a huge part in our run at the end of last season," said Williams. "We need to reload."

Daughter of Steve Smith and Pam Gilstrap, Smith plans to enroll in Georgia Northwestern's Culinary Arts program. "My mom helped coach me when I was younger," said Smith. "But as I got older, it was more of a family effort in regards to what shaped who I am on the court."

Smith will be joining sophomore Lady Cats Kenisha Watkins and Emily Cole on the perimeter this year. "We will have a lot of accuracy from outside this season," said Williams. "All three of these young women know how to play aggressively and know how to light up from behind the three-point line."

 

Although the hot hand from Floyd County, Georgia has played organized basketball for 15 years, she plans on doing her first cooking in the Culinary Arts program. "I'm hoping to take part in that and focus on getting my degree first and foremost," said Smith. "The shot at playing college basketball and staying in the region is an added bonus. I'm really looking forward to everything."