Smith has come through in the clutch for Cowgirls Junior forward has been a key factor in rise of OSU women's program Smith has come through in the clutch for Cowgirls
STILLWATER — After Shaunte Smith drained two free throws with two seconds left to lift the Cowgirls to a win at Texas Tech, Oklahoma State dynamo point guard Andrea Riley gave her teammate the nickname "Miss Clutch.”
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Since then, Smith has recorded six double-doubles and has provided intangibles like taking a charging call in the waning seconds of OSU's win over Texas in the Big 12 Tournament semifinals.
"Some kids run and hide late in a game,” said OSU assistant coach Jim Littell. "Shaunte is not afraid to have the ball in her hands. She wants to have a chance to hit the big free throws late. It fits her. She's been clutch all year.”
No one on the OSU's roster appreciates the remarkable turnaround from a 6-22 season two years ago to a No. 3 NCAA Tournament seed more than Smith, a two-time All-Stater at Putnam City North.
A 6-foot junior forward who committed during her junior year in high school, Smith knew OSU was in a rebuilding phase. But living through an 0-16 conference finish her freshman season was difficult.
Two years later, Smith has played a key role for the No. 13 Cowgirls, who open the NCAA Tournament Saturday night against East Tennessee State in Des Moines, Iowa.
"Every time we need something, and it's not me or Danielle (Green) doing it, it's Shaunte,” Riley said. "She does anything, whether it's two free throws, a stop on defense, a blocked shot. She's clutch. She comes through. She's plays with so much heart.”
Riley, a second-team All-American, is the player who has taken OSU's program to another level. Green, a senior forward, is the other player who receives a lot of attention.
Smith might not get the headlines but she's been productive. In OSU's last 14 games, Smith has averaged a double-double (12.5 points, 10.9 rebounds).
"Shaunte brings energy and passion every night,” Green said. "It never wavers. She's such a hard worker. When I get tired, I look at her and realize I need to work even harder, like she does. She's the heart and soul of this team.”
Smith leads the Cowgirls in rebounding (8.6), is third in scoring (9.3), has started 80 of 91 games in her career and does the dirty work in the paint. Her game is similar to that of former OSU men's standout Ivan McFarlin.
"I never saw (McFarlin) play that much but I know he was known as a blue-collar worker,” Smith said. "That's what I do, too, all the little things. Rebounding is what gets me going. I feel I need to get at least 10 every night.”
Sounds a lot like McFarlin, who former OSU men's coach Eddie Sutton called a warrior. Teammates and coaches have similar respect for Smith, who grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds in a home win over Texas.
"She's one of those young ladies you root for to have success because she does everything right,” said coach Kurt Budke. "She studies (film) harder than anyone else and never complains. She's worked really hard to get where she is.”
Smith has lost nearly 30 pounds since she arrived on campus three years ago. This past off-season she worked diligently on free-throw shooting. It paid off. She's shooting 71.4 percent from the line, a dramatic improvement from last season (61.8).
"She's the first one in the gym and the last one to leave,” Littell said. "She's spent a lot of time to improve her body and improve her game. It's a shame she didn't get any recognition for all-conference, because she's a complete player.”
Smith signed with former coach Julie Goodenough before her senior season, but Goodenough was fired before Smith ever set foot on campus. That was followed by the 6-22 season during Budke's first year.
Losing was a new experience for Smith, an All-Stater her junior and senior years at Putnam North. She was the second-leading scorer in Class 6A (21.6) her senior season.
Budke needed another recruiting class to bring in more talent to complement Smith and guard Taylor Hardeman, the only two players left from that first team.
The No. 13 ranking in the final AP national poll is the highest in school history. The No. 3 NCAA seed is the best in school history. OSU, 25-7, is two wins shy of tying the school record.
"I told my teammates I've never had this much fun in my life,” Smith said. "I knew this program would get there. But to do all this in a year and a half shows what we can accomplish if we just stay together and believe in ourselves.”
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LaSherri, I have very much enjoyed watching your niece play this year. Along with the others she has my respect for the hard work that has gone into making this team a top contender and a joy to watch. It's awesome to feel the energy that is in Gallagher-Iba when the girls play now. I thank her for coming to OSU when I know she could have gone other places. I love it when a class player wants to be a part of building a good program.
I am Shaunte Smith's aunt and I am very proud of her and excited that she has received recognition for her hard work. She is a very level headed hard player that enjoys the game regardless. I have enjoyed this article and thank you for your time and consideration in interviewing my niece.
LaSherri, Oklahoma City - Mar 21, 2008 at 11:07 am
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