Athlete Profile: Allen Smith

The Menominee Indian High School boys basketball team is off to a strong start this winter. Senior Allen Smith has served as one of the leaders for the Eagles.

Through Jan. 2, Menominee Indian had a 5-2 overall record. In those games, Smith has averaged 9.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 2 steals per game.

Smith has scored in double figures three times. He had 18 points in a loss to Green Bay West on Dec. 2, 12 points in a win over Florence on Dec. 28 and 11 points in a win over Gresham on Dec. 14.

The senior grabbed a season-high eight rebounds against Florence and tallied six in a season-opening win over Oconto Falls on Nov. 23.

Smith has had four games where he’s posted two steals, and finished with five steals in a win over Crandon on Dec. 29.

Q: When did your interest in basketball begin?

A: My interest in basketball started when I got into elementary school. That is when I first started playing and loving the game of basketball.

Q: What is your favorite part about the basketball season?

A: My favorite part about the season is coming out and playing our first game. It’s always a different feeling than other games, especially this year being a senior.

Q: What has the game of basketball taught you over the years?

A: The game of basketball has taught me to preserve, and fight through adversity. It has also taught me to enjoy every second with my coaches and teammates as much as I can.

Q: What are some of your individual goals for this season?

A: Some of my individual goals for this season is to get all-conference. Another goal is to become a better teammate; so I can lead by example and have younger guys in our program look up to me, and they will continue to pass the leadership skills down. Another goal is to get a dunk in game this year, we’ll see.

Q: When you step on the court, what is your mindset?

A: When I step on the court my mindset is to always be locked in as much as possible. I always think of our team as an underdog whether our opponent has a worse or better record than us.

Q: What are some of the team’s goals this winter, and what needs to happen in order to achieve the goals?

A: One of our teams goals are to make it deep in the playoffs, this is important but we must take it one game at a time. Another team goal is to finish as one of the best teams in the conference this year. Anything is possible we just have to put our minds to it.

Q: Do you have any rituals you go through before a basketball game begins?

A: I have a ritual before every game and that is to drink a coffee before I play. I’ve always done it and will continue, you could say it’s my good luck charm in order to play good.

Q: As a senior, how do you try and help lead the team?

A: Being a senior and captain, it is important to lead the team. Whenever someone is frustrated or has their head down, I support them and let them know it’s fine, just keep playing hard.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Menominee Indian boys basketball team?

A: My favorite memory competing as a basketball player for Menominee Indian is when I scored my first varsity points as a freshman. It was an amazing feeling. It also felt very good coming in as a freshman being on varsity and actually getting valuable minutes.

Q: Favorite movie, TV show and musical artist?

A: Movie — “Grown Ups.” TV show — “Outer Banks.” Musical artist – Polo G.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: One thing that not a lot of people know about me is that I have a tattoo. It is very meaningful to me and I look at it every day to remind of my grandpa who had passed recently.

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: Some things I want to accomplish after high school are to graduate with a bachelors in either criminal justice or business management. I also hope to accomplish being a college athlete for football as well.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Allen Smith

Sport: Basketball

Position: Point guard/shooting guard

School: Menominee Indian High School

Year: Senior