BAY SPRINGS — Donnie Smith may be just a freshman, but he is already stepping up big on the biggest stage for the St. Joseph Catholic School boys basketball team.
Smith, a 6-foot-four post player, had six big blocks Wednesday night to help the Fighting Irish defeat Kemper Academy 61-25 in the quarterfinals of the MAIS Class 2A State Basketball Tournament at Sylva-Bay Academy.
On Friday at 6 p.m., St. Joe (18-4) is scheduled to play Christian Collegiate in the semifinals of the state tournament. The championship game is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. on Saturday.
“Donnie has good timing as a defender,” St. Joseph Catholic School coach James Hunter said. “He plays with a lot of maturity.”
Smith, along with Jerrian King and C.J. Moore, are three freshmen who have all played an integral part in the Irish’s success this season.
Coach Hunter said he hopes that all three of them continue to play well as St. Joe hopes to win its first ever state championship in basketball. The Irish advanced to the semifinals the last two season but were taken out in this round.
“They are the third team in school history to win a basketball game in the state tournament,” Coach Hunter said. “But, right now we are just taking it one game at a time.”
St. Joe senior Dillon Johnson paced the Irish with 19 points Wednesday. Junior Mekhi Norris scored 11. King scored eight. Junior Kaleb Lockett and senior Trey Benson both scored six points.
