Smith named to Big South All-Conference team

Holly Springs High School’s former Dandy Dozen and now Virginia’s Radford University’s Highlander DaQuan Smith was named Second Team All-Big South.

The Highlanders came so close to winning a bid for the NCAA tournament. Unfortunately, the Highlanders ended their season with a loss in the Big South tournament semi-finals game to Campbell University of North Carolina, with the final score 72-71.

Smith was the lead scorer of the game with 22 points.

The former Holly Springs High School’s Smith started in 30 of the 31 games this season. The redshirt junior guard averaged 13.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game while grabbing 32 steals and coming up with ten blocks.

He shot 42.1 percent from the field, 38.5 percent from the three-point range, and 82.1 percent from the free throw line. He was honored twice during the season as the Big South Player of the week.

Smith felt he surprised many with his outstanding performance.

“It’s a blessing, you know, especially because I feel like a lot of people didn’t expect me to do this, so it was a huge accomplishment for me, I would say,” Smith said.

Smith said the transition from Murray State University in Kentucky to Radford University pushed him to stay on top of his game.

“I was motivated a lot because I know the hard work I put in would show up and that me doing things the right way would eventually play into my favor,” Smith said.

With summer approaching, Smith

plans to get in the best shape he has ever been.

“This summer is going to be my best summer yet. I am going to get on a healthier diet, do a lot of cardio, and get my body in the best shape ever,” he said. I will also keep perfecting my craft.”

Smith will never forget his days at Holly Springs High School and advises the team to stay positive.

“My advice is to go into college with a mindset to do whatever it is you have to do to win because everybody coming in also was the best player on their high school team and coaches want guys without egos who want to win and do whatever it takes to win.”