Twins expected to see immediate playing time at Loyola

BY DAVID FOLSE II

Sports Editor

RESERVE-The fans of Reserve Christian Women’s Basketball officially said goodbye to two of the players who put their program on the map.

While they were saying goodbye, fans of Loyola University were giving a resounding WELCOME!!!!!!

Trenell and Trenese Smith officially ended their prep basketball careers Monday morning when they both signed college scholarships. The duo will take their talents to Loyola University in New Orleans.

Both fully academically qualified, Trenell and Trenese are expected to see immediate playing time in DoBee Plaisance’s system.

“Signing two players like Trenell and Trenese is great for the Loyola community, the Loyola Head Coach said. “They are not only going to be assets to our program, but assets to the university.

They are going to be looked at by the athletic and academic world and I’m sure that two people the quality of Trenell and Trenese will do great. Overall it is a great day for Loyola.”

In only their second year of athletic scholarships as an athletic department, Plaisance said fans should expect the twins to have the chance to earn immediate playing time as true freshmen.

“With the dynamics of the team we have now, Trenese and Trenell will play anywhere from the 1-2 or even the three. They both demonstrate great ball-handling ability which means they can run the point, they demonstrate great outside shooting which means they can play the two and their athletic ability would make them able to play the three because they can penetrate, play defense and most importantly finish around the basket. That’s necessary at this level.”

Trenese said she could not wait for Monday morning.

“I couldn’t sleep last night,” Smith said. “It’s very exciting and I am very happy with my decision.

“It was down to Loyola and Southern for us. I personally just felt more comfortable with Loyola. I talked with them numerous times and they just made me feel really comfortable. ”

Trenell echoed her sister’s comments.

“I couldn’t sleep either,” Smith laughed. “We have been looking at Loyola since almost the 10th grade. When I first saw them play, I just knew that was the school that I wanted to go to.

“Southern is a great school and we would have been lucky to go there, but Loyola just influenced me a lot more. They caught my eye. We fit in really well already with the girls over there.”

Trenell said that she expects little difficulty in adjusting to the collegiate level of women’s basketball, compared to the talent and intensity level in high school.

“It’s not going to be that big of an adjustment,” Smith said. “Because I played a lot of the point at Reserve so I will have some experience when it comes to running the team’s offense.

“It is kind of the same thing as playing the shooting guard position. You just have to hand the ball off a lot more and shoot less sometimes. The talent level is definitely increased on the college level, but I believe we both can adjust and have very successful careers.”