Blake’s Smith picks Winthrop

Posted Sep 6, 2010 by Nick Williams

Updated Sep 6, 2010 at 07:04 PM

Blake senior point guard Andre Smith, the 2009-2010 season Tampa Bay Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year, verbally committed to Division I Winthrop University on Sunday, Blake coach Winston Davis said.

Smith made an official visit this past weekend, Davis said.

Smith, a 5-foot-9 guard, led Blake to a 26-5 record and the No. 5 ranking in the Class 4A state poll while averaging 19 points and 5 assists per game.

Smith was later named to the 4A all-state third-team and Tribune All-Hillsborough County Boys Basketball first-team

In the 4A regional tournament, Smith hit a buzzer-beater against Palmetto in the region quarterfinals for 56-53 victory. It was Blake’s first playoff win since the school reopened in 1997, and first overall postseason victory since 1969. Smith scored 21 of his game-high 24 points in the second half to lead Blake to the win, but the Yellow Jackets were eliminated in the following round by Lakewood.

Winthrop’s men’s basketball team has been to the NCAA tournament nine times since 1999 and has won 10 Big South Conference championships. Last season, the Eagles lost to Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the NCAA opening round.