From basketball to golf, Carson Smith making most of senior year at River Valley
DELAWARE — Carson Smith is a basketball player, but he's added to his sporting resume this fall.
For the first time, the two-time All-Ohioan is playing a second sport, joining the boys golf team at River Valley.
The reason?
If he plays two sports, he gets out of gym class for his senior year.
"That’s why I’m doing it," he said with a grin. "And to have a good time."
On the basketball court, there are few better shooters than Smith. Last year at Highland, he posted a school record 48 points and made 11 3-pointers in less than three quarters of action.
More: Fahey Bank Athlete of the Month: RV's Carson Smith sets records
HS golf guide: Pleasant girls set to continue dynasty, plus other nuggets from the links
On the golf course, Smith has no illusions of getting the results and the accolades he earns on the basketball court. His younger brother Chase Smith, a sophomore, is the team's No. 1 player. The older brother knows his place in the pecking order on the course.
"He’s pretty good. I’m not very good. I don’t think I’ll be able to do that," he said of keeping up with his brother.
Still, he's a contributing member of the varsity team who can shoot in the 40s for nine holes.
While he admits there's not a lot of crossover between a textbook jump shot and a golf swing, he's seen benefits of playing this fall.
"It’s all mental," he said of his improvement.
MOAC Boys Golf Tournament No. 2
The Mid Ohio Athletic Conference hosted its second of three tournaments of the season Tuesday at Oakhaven.
As it did in the first MOAC tournament at Chapel Hill, Shelby won by five shots over Pleasant. The Whippets put up a 312 to Pleasant's 317. Galion was third at 327 followed by Clear Fork at 337, Ontario at 347, RV at 361, Highland at 379 and Marion Harding at 386.
Individually, Pleasant's Dylan Moore was medalist with a 72.
Shelby now leads the standings with 28 points with Pleasant next at 24, Clear Fork and Galion at 18 each, Ontario at 12 and Highland and River Valley at six apiece. Harding has no points.
The final MOAC tourney will be Sept. 20 at the Country Club of Bucyrus.
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This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Carson Smith: River Valley's All-Ohio basketball player a golfer, too
