Alison Smolinski had quite a career at North Royalton High School on the basketball court. The list of awards that she won last year is a lengthy one. First-team All-Ohio, Northeast Lakes District Player of the Year in Division I and was named as the Outstanding Female Athlete of the year at North Royalton High School.
Want a few more? Team MVP at North Royalton High School and a Plain Dealer All-Star, First-team selection.
This year, Alison is playing college basketball at Youngstown State University, a member of the Horizon League.
Alison is making her presence felt for the Penguins. After coming off the bench for the first three games of the season, Alison has started the last 13 games in a row (As of January 16, 2016). Through the first 16 games of the 2015-16 season, Youngstown State had a record of 12-4.
The 5-9 guard is averaging 8.3 points a game as a freshman for Youngstown State. Alison has scored in double-figures in four games this season. In a game against Kent State back on December 12, Alison established her career high of 22 points and hit six 3-point baskets in that game.
Alison says there are big differences in playing at the Division I college level as opposed to playing for the Bears. “It’s been a hard adjustment,” said Alison. “The game is a lot quicker. The coaches at North Royalton did a great job in getting me ready to play in college. But, you still have to experience it.”
When asked how she was able to work her way into the Youngstown State starting line-up, she replied, “I took advantage of an opportunity given to me.”
Alison finished her career at North Royalton as the second leading scorer in school history with 1,269 points. She set school records for 3-pointers in a career (200), season (79) and game (6) as well as varsity games played (97). As a senior, Alison averaged 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals in leading the Bears to a 25-2 record last season and an appearance in the Division I “Sweet Sixteen.”
Alison says her college experience at Youngstown State “has been great, but you have to prioritize.” I asked Alison if she could have imagined starting for a Division I college basketball team as a freshman while walking the halls at North Royalton High School last year. She shook her head, said no, and called this experience a “surreal thing.”
By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer