Prospect Watch: Trenton Smith (2019)
Class of 2019 forward Trenton Smith of Carl Junction has been a force at the high school level since breaking into the starting lineup as a freshman.
During those three seasons, the 6’6″ Smith has helped the Bulldogs emerge from a team that won only three games to a Class 4 district championship team last season. Smith is a big, strong power forward who can score in the low post in a variety of ways. He is strong with both hands around the basket and he is explosive enough to dunk on opposing defenders at a moment’s notice. Smith can also step outside and knock down an open 3-pointer off the catch.
Smith’s strong play has put him on the radar of several of the top Division II programs in the Midwest region. He has already received scholarship offers from Southwest Baptist and Pittsburg State, plus he’s getting interest from other schools such as Drury, Washburn, Northwest Missouri State, Missouri Southern. Division I school Central Arkansas is also tracking his progress as well.
Smith has been playing with the MO Team Carroll 17U team during the summer. He is part of a talented group that features Missouri State commits Tyem Freeman of Parkview and Jamonta Black of Rock Bridge. As one of the team’s main inside threat, Smith has held up well while playing against some top competition in the Adidas Gauntlet Silver circuit.
“Playing for Team Carroll has helped my game a lot,” Smith said. “Going up against high caliber players has helped me develop other parts of my game. This summer, I have been working on my ball handling and my shooting. I’ve also been working on getting stronger for the next level.”
Smith’s major goal as a senior is to bring another district championship back to Carl Junction. As a junior, he averaged 20 points and six rebounds a game to follow up on a big sophomore year in which he averaged 19 points and 7.5 rebounds. After winning the district title, Carl Junction nearly pulled off a victory in the sectionals against Logan-Rogersville, only to lose 42-41 on a pair of free throws by Smith’s good friend Luke Vandersnick after time had expired.
“I was devastated with the way we lost in the sectionals,” Smith said. “It has helped motivate me to spend more time in the weight room and get stronger and be more conditioned. My goals are to win another district championship and try to advanced past the sectionals round next year.”