Smith in spotlight
Being Crown Point’s go-to player makes senior guard ‘feel at home’
Being Crown Point’s go-to player makes senior guard “feel at home.”
It wasn’t easy for Crown Point’s Ty Smith to sit and watch from the bench for most of his sophomore season.
Smith had that experience in eighth grade after he tore his hamstring going up for a layup early in the season.
He didn’t like being on the sideline.
During the 2018-19 season, Smith was the sixth man for the Bulldogs but didn’t play that much. His hopes had been raised after he was called up to varsity halfway through his freshman season.
Crown Point coach Clint Swan said Smith has been the best player in his class since middle school. Smith, a 6-foot-1 senior guard, can do everything. He’s a good shooter but excels more at scoring off the dribble. He can play off the ball, and he’s an excellent passer.
Smith started the season by scoring 30 points against Illiana Christian. In a 72-43 win against East Chicago Central, Smith had 16 points and seven assists, Swan said.
So it’s true.
There still was a little bit of scar tissue Smith had to work out of his system.
“After my sophomore year, I felt like I had something to prove,” he said. “I think I played as much my freshman year as I did when I was a sophomore. Our five starters didn’t come out much.”
Said Swan: “I know it was an adjustment for him, but it was good for him to experience that side of it. We had a really talented class in 2019. He knew his role was going to be greatly elevated.”
Smith said “watching the older guys gave me more experience.”
Smith delivered last season, averaging a team-leading 17 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Swan said Smith will do whatever the team needs this season. That could mean he’ll have to take 20 shots one game and defer to his teammates the next game.
The Bulldogs (3-0) are off to a good start. They’re interested to see where this season goes.
Whichever direction i t ’s headed, Smith is going to be in the middle of it.
He likes the spotlight.
“I’ve been used to it my whole life,” he said. “It makes me feel at home now.”
But Smith has help.
Crown Point returned four starters from last season, including Drew Adzia, a 5-8 junior guard; Jake Oostman, a 6-5 senior forward; Darren Roach, a 6-1 junior guard; and David Brown, a 6-4 senior guard.
The Bulldogs are deep enough to give teams a variety of looks on defense. They even press in select situations.
Crown Point plays Munster on Friday. It’s the season opener for the Mustangs. Crown Point scrimmaged Munster before the season started.
Smith is excited.
“I feel like we could do a lot,” he said. “We started 3-0. Munster is definitely going to be the hardest game we’ve had this year so far.”
Mantis update: Lowell’s Chris Mantis, whose 48 points against Portage on Tuesday were two shy of Austin Richie’s 2010 school record, has narrowed down his college choices to Appalachian State, Ball State, Drake, Illinois-Chicago, IPFW and Valparaiso, according to 247Sports.
The 6-foot-6 senior guard will make his college choice on Christmas Day.
Rankings: In polls by The Associated Press, Munster is ranked No. 8, Michigan City is No. 17 and West Side is No. 20 in Class 4A; Hammond is No. 4 in Class 3A; Andrean is No. 11 in Class 2A; and Kouts is No. 2 and 21st Century is No. 10 in Class 1A.