Senior guard Tillie Smith has helped the fourth-ranked Ankeny Centennial girls’ basketball team to a 6-2 record and a four-game winning streak heading into 2025.
Smith is averaging 4.0 points per game. She leads the Jaguars with 10 3-point goals and is shooting 28.6 percent from behind the arc.
Here is some inside info on Smith:
Congratulations on a strong start to the season. What has been the highlight for you?
Thank you! It has been really good to see the growth of our team from last year. We have been able to start ahead of where we were last year at this point, and we hope to keep building. Our bench has helped more, and it’s been so cool to have some minutes with my sister (Maize).
Your team provided coach Scott DeJong with his 700th career victory when you defeated then-No. 5 Pleasant Valley, 39-26, in the season opener on Nov. 30 at Cedar Rapids. Do you think the milestone meant more to him or to the players?
I would say us as players. I don’t think coach thought a whole lot about it, as he tends to always be thinking about others before himself. Personally, I am proud to be a part of his legacy. I remember my mom talking about watching his 6-on-6 teams when she was in high school so I think it’s neat to be playing for him.
Your team’s two losses came to No. 3 Waukee Northwest and No. 2 Dowling Catholic by a total of five points. Do you think your team learned some things from those losses that has helped contribute to your current winning streak?
Yes, we definitely learned some things from the losses. We know we can play with anyone when we are keying in on the fundamentals. This is about as tough of a conference as you can get–it’s a grind most nights. We have to be ready to go each and every night. All of our games give us an opportunity to grow and work on different areas. We have worked really hard in practice to address those areas, and we will be stronger and more prepared next go around.
Your team posted a 57-53 victory over No. 5 Cedar Rapids Prairie in the Johnston Winter Tip Off on Dec. 21. How important was it to keep your positive momentum going heading into the break?
Prairie is a very good team who has a good shot at making the Well in the postseason. We didn’t have much time to scout or prepare for them since we had the Valley game the night before, so I think that affected us a little. It was a key win for us though, to show we can compete hard against the best teams and to give us some good momentum heading into the next part of the season.
You’ve attempted one shot this season–and made it–that wasn’t from 3-point range. It came during your team’s 44-33 win at Ankeny on Dec. 6. If I remember right, wasn’t it a layup off a steal or a turnover?
I honestly don’t remember for sure. It was open so I took the drive.
Obviously, your primary role on offense is to be a 3-point threat. Do you have a favorite spot to shoot from behind the arc?
Really, I like shooting from anywhere on the perimeter. It just depends on the flow of the game and where I can create the best opportunities. It seems to be different each game. Or I guess any spot that goes in is my favorite.
You have yet to shoot a free throw this season, and you’ve only shot 18 of them in your high school career. I’m sure you’ll have to make a big free throw at some point this season. Are you confident at the line?
I know I have not had many opportunities to get to the line, but I still put in the time and work on them as I know free throws are crucial and can be game changers. I will stay focused and do my part to my best potential.
You are often asked to defend the opposing team’s top scorer. Who has been the most difficult assignment for you this season, and why?
Each player has a different style and each plays at a high level so they bring their own challenges whether it’s speed, strength, and/or skill. I approach every matchup the same way by staying focused on playing solid defense, staying disciplined, and doing my best to limit their impact for the sake of my team. It is always a really good learning experience no matter who I’m guarding.
Your team will host No. 1 Johnston in its first game after the break on Friday. The Dragons have won 84 of their last 86 games while winning two of the last three Class 5A championships, but your team has played them as tough as anybody–losing four times by single-digit margins during that stretch. What will be the keys to knocking them off?
Johnston is a solid team, and they don’t seem to have missed a beat since last year even though they graduated a couple of key players. We will need to be at our best all 32 minutes. Executing our offense and being disciplined–we need to be relentless. Our shooting percentage will need to be high, and we will have to rebound on both ends. We won’t be able to afford giving them second-chance shots. Play with passion and a lot of energy!
I know your team doesn’t put a lot of emphasis on the CIML Conference race, but do you feel like this game is a must-win if you want to contend for the league title since you are already two games behind Johnston?
We approach all games the same. We prepare as best we can and focus on the (things that we can control). We want to be better at what we do each game and win the math. More boards, less turnovers, better percentages–and hopefully that will give us a win each night, not just against Johnston.
You have signed to play at Grand View next year. Have you had a chance to go to any of the Vikings’ games this season?
I have tried to get to some games in person, but it’s been a challenge with scheduling. I thought I was going to get to one, but they had a time change due to the success of the football team. I’ve been able to watch some online and hope to get to a game over break!