Crashing Boards with Anna Smith
customImage
Anna Smith sets records and aims high in academics and athletics.
Written by Rachel Primm, MSA English Teacher
A typical basketball game lasts about two hours. In that time, the average starting player scores around 10 points per game. How many games would it take to reach 1,000 points?
For Anna Smith, it was never about the points. She is a true power forward, averaging about nine rebounds per game. There is power in a strong defense, and she does what it takes to put her team in a better position. That was always the goal—stop the other team, get the ball back.
After a few seasons, her stepfather mentioned she might be nearing a major milestone. Once she realized she was close to 1,000 rebounds, Smith stopped at nothing to make it happen. In February, she reached that goal, proving that grit and determination can carry you wherever you're trying to go. For a player like Smith, it’s always about the next thing, the next milestone, the next chapter. There are no limits to what she can achieve.
It’s clear that Smith is a passionate player who puts her heart into the game, but her story doesn’t stop at the gym doors. She could often be found in the Chapel Theatre, diligently working through sound cues for the next stage production. She has been active in the performing arts, playing multiple roles in Clue and leading the tech department during her senior year. She also remained a vital part of the sustainable agriculture program, especially when the school welcomed 40 sheep to campus during lambing season. Whether on the court or the farm, Smith is boundless, and her efforts in each area have paid off throughout her high school career.
Smith caught the eye of Bluefield College, among many other basketball programs. After campus visits, careful deliberation, and hours spent reviewing every offer, she committed to Bluefield on a full basketball scholarship. Another goal achieved. Another boundary broken.
As the school year came to an end and the Class of 2025 walked across the stage, Smith took time to reflect with her advisory group. She admitted that her years on the Hill went by too quickly. But in those three short years, she left her mark—one rebound, one milestone at a time.
