GREAT FALLS, S.C. -- For nearly five decades, the Great Falls basketball court has been John Smith’s home away from home.
“For 47 years, I had a love affair with basketball,” Smith said as he watched the Red Devils summer practice. He’s coached this team through the highs and the lows, but with 943 wins his legacy speaks for itself.
His first title came in 1977; he says he remembers how nervous he was standing on the sidelines. With eight State titles at Great Falls High School and 19 Upper State trophies, he got used to that pressure.
“Those are the last two, 2011 and 2012,” Smith said as he pointed to the trophy case. “Those two were back to back.”
The team pictures hung by those trophies are a tangible reminder of his accomplishments, but Smith says more than anything it’s the faces in those photos that made his 47 years memorable.
“I hope I’ve improved their lives, not only on the court but off the court. That’s my biggest accomplishment,” Smith said.
Walking into the gym this summer he has a new seat on the stands in the fan section. He says he watches without saying too much, instead letting new coach Jimmy Duncan make all the calls. And while he’s no longer coaching, he’s not saying goodbye just yet either.
“I still have my keys,” Smith says smiling. “I drove the bus last night for the team, so I’ll just take on a new role.”
He says driving the team to their games will still allow him to enjoy watching the team he loves play the game he loves.
For now, Smith will come and go as he pleases and enjoy the retired life. He says he’s looking forward to spending time with his wife, who was also his scorekeeper for 25 years, and their 3-year-old granddaughter.
But his legacy at Great Falls High School will live on, through the pictures, trophies and the memories scattered throughout the Red Devils gym.