Ex-Hampshire standout Smith named BC girls hoops coach

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Stephanie Smith, The Courier-News' Girls Basketball Player of the Year in 2000, is returning to the Big Northern Conference as head coach of the Burlington Central girls basketball team.

Smith will be trading in the purple and white of her alma mater of Hampshire High School for the blue and white of the Rockets.

"I knew the tradition behind Central playing at Hampshire," Smith said. "I knew the rivalry and always respected the Central program and staff. We had a lot of successful teams at Hampshire and I'm hoping we can bring the same success to Central over the upcoming years."

Smith, 26, is taking over for interim coach Wade Maisto. Maisto had taken over for Darlene Guyett, who will not return to the bench.

"She stood out," Central athletics director Dan Cliffe said of Smith. "She's a class individual and her plans and thoughts are in the same direction as our program.

"I think she's going to do a good job. She's got great energy and I think that will attract the girls."

Added Smith: "It's gonna be a fast, up-tempo and in-your-face type of game both on offense and defense. Offensively, I want every kid to be able to shoot the ball, every kid to dribble, my post players to take the ball off the rim and dribble down the court. I think people will enjoy watching these girls play, leaving the gym knowing they saw a solid basketball team that plays fundamentally and with a lot of passion."

After her stellar career at Hampshire, Smith went on to play college ball at Northern Illinois University and has been involved in coaching since graduating. In three years at Marian Catholic in Chicago Heights, her sophomore team compiled a record of 63-5 with three conference championships.

Last year, Smith was on Tim Prendergast's staff at South Elgin.

"I'm kind of upset I only had her one year," Prendergast joked. "She's a good basketball coach, has a great mind and a good rapport with the kids.

"I think she'll take that program to the next level. She's a good fit over there."

Smith will take over a Burlington Central team that went 16-13 and 6-4 in the BNC East Division. Central lost in the Kaneland Class 3A Regional title game to Hampshire.

Courier-News All-Area second-team guard Jordan Maisto and third-team forward Taylor Colby will return as seniors to headline the Rockets.

"I know Jordan Maisto and her style of game is very exciting to coach," Smith said. "I know everyone has a great work ethic and that we have the leading 3-point scorer in the conference on the team brings a smile to my face."

In her senior year at Hampshire, Smith averaged 19 points per game and eclipsed the 1,000-point plateau with the Whip-Purs. Smith still has ties to Hampshire and is excited to apart of the area basketball scene again.

"I'm very excited to be back around an area that's very positive and supportive," Smith said. "With the administration and staff at Central, I have everyone around me for the program to be more successful."

Brandon Mangia contributed