Smith Looking to Lead for Castlewood in Group A, Division 2

The Radford Bobcats enter today’s Virginia High School League Group A, Division 2 state quarterfinal matchup with plenty of offensive firepower.

In fact, head coach Rick Cormany’s team is averaging 77.6 points in five postseason games.

The reputation and numbers might intimidate some opponents. Castlewood High School junior Justin Smith just sees it at his next challenge.

Smith has emerged as the defensive stopper for Castlewood (25-3), which plays Radford (23-4) at 5:15 p.m. in the state quarterfinals at Virginia High’s Bearcat Den.

Smith has shined on the defensive end this season for the Blue Devils. He held Coeburn’s Andrew Adkins, Powell Valley’s Tyler Garrison and Virginia High’s Corey Young in check during the Region D, Division 2 tournament.

“He shuts people down,” Castlewood coach Wayne Rasnick said. “He’s our best defender. We don’t know what assignment he’s going to draw on Saturday, but he’s going to play good defense.”

Many high school players would rather work on their jumpshot or fancy dribbles than buy into playing defense. However, Smith has thrived in the less-glamorous role.

“That’s my first priority when I go on the basketball court,” Smith said. “I take it as if I take a key player out of the ballgame, it just gives us a bigger advantage on the other end.”

Smith left last week’s regional tournament with a sense of pride after helping the Devils accomplish their mission. Castlewood held all three of its opponents under 50 points. Virginia High managed just 25 points in the regional title game.

“At the very start of the game, we just got in a zone and kept switching up our defenses and they didn’t know what to do,” Smith said. “We ran a box and one in the fourth quarter and they couldn’t do anything.”

The Castlewood-Radford clash will be the final of four games held today at Virginia High.