Chris Whitaker
AMERICUS — Karen Wilkins scored all eight of her points in the final six minutes to help South Georgia Tech clinch its first berth in the NJCAA Tournament last Saturday.
Zandreal Blakely earned a scholarship after being the team’s only walk on last season, and it was her two 3-pointers that sparked SGTC to a win at Darton.
And Dee Smith, well, she's just the Georgia Junior Conference Athletic Association’s Player of the Year.
The three returning sophomores endured a rough go-around last season as the Lady Jets finished the season 13-19.
“They are our strand of continuity from last year to this year,” said coach Brandan Harrell. “They’ve seen when we didn’t do things well and the result. They’ve been on the other end (losing) and our ups and downs and probably appreciate this year more than the new folks.”
Now, they are GJCAA champions and will play No. 2 Gulf Coast (28-1) in the first round of the NJCAA Tournament on Tuesday. The game will be at 3 p.m. Eastern and broadcast on WISK 98.7, and it will be webcast by the NJCAA.
At 29-5, all three players have served their role and done it well, according to Harrell.
Wilkins has been a role player off the bench, mainly for defensive purposes. Blakely has taken on the lead role as a point guard, shooting 44 percent from the floor. And Smith, she picks up the team when it needs her the most.
Harrell said the biggest impact the three have made has been on the leadership end.
Wilkins is averaging four points with 2.7 steals and 2.4 assists, but she is more of a defensive role player.
“She has been one of our best players coming off the bench, and what’s so unique about Karen, she has unselfishly accepted her role,” said Harrell.
Wilkins said last season taught her how to deal with what’s thrown at her.
“It made me want to work harder in practice and do a lot better,” she said. “I just try to do my part as a supportive teammate on and off the court. When I get in the game, I’m going to do the best I can and do my part.”
Blakely started all conference games but one last season, but Harrell mixed up the lineup this season to challenge her. She’s made 44 percent of her 3-point attempts this season — all of her 3-pointers have come in conference play — and her biggest ones came on consecutive possessions at Darton that broke a tie as SGTC left with a 70-60 win.
She’s averaging five points and 2.7 assists.
“I just think coming from being a walk-on to leading the team down the stretch in conference is a pretty remarkable turnaround for her,” said Harrell. “She’s the most overlooked player on our team by opponents and recruiters. She just does her job quietly. She doesn’t take a lot of wild shots, and she’s improved defensively.”
Blakely said her role is to get assists, and when the opportunity arises, then points.
“My defense has improved, and my offensive decisions have improved,” she said. “I’m quicker, so that makes it hard for people to get past me, and I look for my teammates more. If I see them not doing stuff, then I try to step in. I’m pretty good off the dribble-drive.”
As for Smith, she along with Monique Willis and Ophelia McMath have been the driving points on the offensive end. Smith is averaging 17.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 2.4 assists a game.
Harrell said her best game came in the regular season finale — a 66-62 win at home against Middle Georgia — where she had 20 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.
The athleticism has always been there for Smith; it’s been the attitude change that’s made her successful.
“She showed what kind of player she was and had big numbers for a freshman,” said Harrell. “But talent doesn’t get you an education and moved on. She’s worked really hard on her game, has become a much better shooter and a much better decision maker and a much better defensive player. Those gifts were always there. Her attitude toward the classroom and toward life in general changed.”
Harrell said her biggest difference has been in practice.
“I literally remember two days this whole year where she didn’t seem excited and ready to play,” he said. “That is so uncommon. For anybody over the course of six or seven months is going to have more than two days where you’re not feeling great or a little down. That’s almost unheard of.”
Blakely calls Smith a coach on the floor.
The Lady Jets will need their best performance of the year to knock off Gulf Coast, which has beaten its opponents by more than 25 points a game this season.
“We’ve worked on closing gaps and boxing out,” said Smith. “We’ve got to go out and play our hardest. We’ve got to stop them in transition and pick up the defense when they inbounds the ball.”
