Smith’s Offensive Player of the Year Highlights All-Conference Recognitions

When you look up the defenition of a "walking bucket", sophomore guard Kai Smith's picture will be the example. In the La Harba, CA native's his final campaign as a member of the Santiago Canyon College men's basketball program, his efforts earned him the title of the Orange Empire Conference (OEC) Offensive Player of the Year to highlight seven total recognitions for the Hawks.

Sophomore guards Joey Longo and Damien Parker earned first-team all-conference recognition, while sophomore center Chico Lopez, freshman guard Eli Arthurton and freshman guard Tony Colley reeled in second-team all-conference laurels. Freshman guard Trevor Manning was tabbed an honorable mention as well.

Smith ranked second in conference play with 17.7 points-per-game in 27 total starts. He bagged 24 double-digit scoring games and netted 20 or more points in 13 games. He is a true sniper from long range by carting a shooting percentage just under 30 throughout the entire season. He hit two or more three pointers in 11 games highlighted by a five three-pointer night in a win over MiraCosta. His largest conference scoring total came in an upset victory over top-seeded Fullerton where he drained 26 points on a 8-for-14 night shooting.

Longo was a consistent thorn in every opponent's side as his work on both ends of the court proved him invaluable. While averaging just over eight points-per-game on the season, his defense was lock down. He tied for the lead in rebounds on the team by averaging 5.7 boards-per-contest to go along with 1.9 assists-per-game. He hauled in at least three rebounds in 19 games highlighted by a 15-rebound game in an overtime win over Orange Coast.

Parker was the second lethal weapon on the offensive front by averaging 11.6 points-per-game to rank second on the team and place him inside the top-15 in conference scoring. In 22 games played, he scored 10 or more points in 14 games. His season-best mark came in a win over Golden West where he drained 25 points. He led the team with 3.5 assists-per-game and tallied 1.2 steals-per-game which ranks him tied for second on the team.

Lopez came on strong in the second half of the season and proved to be a dominant force. He finished the season by landing in double-digit scoring in four of the last five games. His 22-point showing in a win over Fullerton was his best output on the year. He scored 10 or more points in 11 games this season. Furthermore, he averaged just under one block-per-game. 

Colley was a regular starter for the Hawks and was one of three players who averaged double-digit scoring. He landed third on the roster with a 10.5 points-per-game mark. The majority of his success lies in the first half of the season by starting his career off with a 21-point showing in a win over Glendale. He continued on to record 13 double-digit scoring games and held a five-game double-digit scoring streak in the month of December.

E. Arthurton was the first off the bench this season and did not disappoint. While playing in 27 games and starting in eight of them, he averaged 9.6 points-per-game to go along with just under two assists-per-game and just under one steal-per-game. He finished the season scoring 10 or more points in two of three games highlighted by a 14-point showing in a win over Irvine Valley. His season-high mark was a 19-point outburst in a win over Citrus, backed by a 17-point game against Saddleback at home.

Manning, who could arguably be the Sixth Man of the Year for the Hawks, was a sparkplug off the bench as seen in sharp shooting from downtown and a hard-nosed rebounder. While averaging 16.4 minutes-per-game and seeing time in all 28 games, he averaged 9.1 points-per-game and just under three rebounds -per-game. He scored 10 or more points in 12 games this season with five of the games coming in the final seven games of the year. He recorded a double-double in a win over Golden West where he scored 12 points and notched 10 rebounds.