It certainly isn’t something out of a Whoopi Goldberg movie, but some coaches in the Southwestern Conference would agree that on some nights this “Sister Act” of twins Veronica and Victoria Smith and their sister Teandrea gives opposing teams a preview that’s more like a horror movie.
The talented trio has helped lead the powerful Flyerettes this season to a 22-4 record heading into tonight’s Illinois Class AA Regional championship game at Mascoutah. East Side defeated the host Indians 23-13 on Monday night and will face No. 1 seed Belleville West for the regional championship.
The Smith girls are part of a talented group of young ladies who can defend and shoot the ball with any team in the Metro East. Throw in senior guard Eboni Jett, sophomore Denisha Mitchell and the leadership of Shannon Fenton, and you have a group of young guns that could possibly take the 2004-2005 edition of the Flyerettes deep into the post-season.
Juniors Veronica (5’10”, 10.5 points, 5.0 rebounds) and Victoria (5’11”, 14.3 points, 8.6 rebounds) have been turning heads since they left Clark Middle School, each playing varsity basketball since they were freshman. It has been a long time since the Flyerettes have the post presence or the effort that these young ladies give head coach Charles McDonald every game.
But to add the toppings to this dessert, coach McDonald starts 6′ freshman Teandrea Smith. Some of you might have caught this “Sister Act” at the Joe Torry Celebrity Weekend during the youth game, when it became apparent that the youngest Smith was far better than anybody in the gym that day, including some of the celebrities.
Teandra had unofficially close to 20 points through three quarters and had to sit most of the third and fourth quarters in order to not embarrass the opposing players by hitting 3-point shots at will from collegiate range. She finished with 27 points. Teandra has already made an immediate impact with the Flyerettes, averaging 12.2 points and a team-high 11 rebounds a game.
These young ladies are just as talented off the court. Never have I witnessed them cursing, being disrespectful to adults or carrying themselves in a manner that would make you think you are on a Metrolink train after school.
These sisters are very close, both on and off the court. During her senior season at Clark Middle School, Teandrea didn’t miss a Flyerette game, always arriving in the presence of her mother at gyms throughout the Metro East. Whenever Veronica and Victoria weren’t occupied practicing, they too would support their little sister, appearing at every game in the small yet comfortable gym at Clark Middle School.
Although plenty of excellent players have come through the Flyers’ girls basketball program, I’m not sure this “Sister Act” takes a back seat to any former players. They are talented, smart, respectable and seem to take to coaching very well.
The main ingredient in the Smith sisters’ success is their mom, who attends all of her daughters’ games, juggling her schedule to insure that she’s able to cheer and support her young ladies as they continue to make their mark as three of the top girls basketball players in the Metro East.
Maurice can be seen on WESL TV 26 ON Tuesday Nights at 6 p.m.
