Smith Genesis

By Victoria Shawgo

Genesis Smith is a rising Senior at Durant High School who has played on the Lady Cougars basketball team for the past four years. The basketball team is a year-round commitment for Smith, who follows each school year with Summer sessions where she is challenged with physical workouts and a nutrition plan that helps keep her and her teammates in their best shape going into each new season.

“It’s hard work,” admitted Smith, “but I really liked the training. Even though it was hard, my teammates and I pushed each other to get it done.”

Genesis, who plays Center and Small Forward on the team, is looking forward to the upcoming season.

“The starting five has been the same my whole time on the team,” she shared, “but they all graduated, and I’m a little nervous but also really excited to see what we can do this year.”

Her coaches, Al and Constance Mitchell, are impressed with her work ethic.

“She shows consistency and dedication to the program,” Constance shared. “She did not miss one day of the six-week Summer Session and has shown great improvement.”

Genesis says that her motivation to work hard comes from her mom. She is also involved in her school’s BSU, or Black Student Union, where students of all colors come together to “spread positivity and promote equality.” After high school, she hopes to continue playing basketball in college and become a sonographer.