tbgfan 856 Report Share Posted November 20, 2008 Twin Valley Star Overcomes Injury Spencer Campbell Advertisement Text size: small | medium | large By Spencer Campbell Sports Writer / Bristol Herald Courier Published: November 20, 2008 PILGRIM’S KNOB, Va. – After Josh Smith underwent surgery on his ankle during the summer, the doctor told him to take it easy for awhile. Smith tried to do nothing. He really did. The senior spent two weeks laying on the couch, watching reruns on the TV. “I felt helpless,†he said. “Just sitting there, doing nothing.†So the Twin Valley junior forward went back to the doctor and made it clear: He was getting back on the basketball court, with or without the doctor’s blessing. Recognizing there was no reasoning with his young patient, the doctor gave Smith a protective boot and said, “Be smart.†Unable to run or condition his lower extremities, Smith concentrated solely on sculpting his upper body. It became your typical bad news-worse news situation. Bad news for Smith, because he couldn’t play football because of the injury. Worse news for the Black Diamond District, now tasked with the unenviable job of trying to contain a hulking, determined, renewed Smith. At 6-foot-2, Smith is an undersized power forward. But in 2007-08, he didn’t let a little thing like a lack of height stand in the way of being named the BDD’s player of the year. “There are players who are bigger than him that force him into missed shots, but his ability to rebound and go after missed shots has been his biggest asset,†Twin Valley coach Brian Moore said. “A lot of that just comes from his work ethic. He’s relentless.†Smith’s relentlessness accounted for an average of 16.1 points and 12.9 rebounds last season. A 49-46 upset loss to Twin Springs kept the Panthers from claiming the Region D, Division 1 championship. And with a summer’s worth of lifting under his belt, the bruiser now cradles 345 pounds on the bench press – up from 300 last season. Add the increased bulk to his new 10-foot jumper and there’s no doubt that blanketing double-teams will soon find their way to Smith. It’s a situation that, Smith said, is fine with him. “With teammates like Hunter [simpson], Garrett [Horne] and Lucas [shortridge], if they start double-teaming me, all I have to do is go out there to them,†Smith said. “They’ll make the three-pointer and the attention’s back on them.†With four starters back from last year’s 21-8 (8-0 in BDD) team, every player on the Panthers’ roster will surely get their share of attention. As for increased expectations? That’s just Twin Valley basketball for you. “A lot of people have a lot of big expectations for us this year,†Smith said. “I just hope we can deliver on them. Like Richlands has football, Twin Valley has basketball. That’s how it is.†Life has many choices---eternity has two Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokiepanther 10 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 yes sir mr. smith that IS HOW IT IS!... i also love the line saying "As for increased expectations? That’s just Twin Valley basketball for you." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerryhurley119 10 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 (edited) (specific personal attacks will not be tolerated) Edited November 24, 2008 by bucfan64 Personal attack and inappropriate language Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokiepanther 10 Report Share Posted November 24, 2008 (edited) (deleted by moderator, specific personal attacks will not be tolerated) Edited November 24, 2008 by bucfan64 Individual attacks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokiepanther 10 Report Share Posted November 25, 2008 my bad bucfan.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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