The Harrisonburg boys basketball coach expected Handley's Rumeal Smith to be a force inside, but he didn't expect the 6-foot-5 senior forward to have a deadly jumper when the two teams met last week.
"[Smith] can really shoot the basketball," Meyers said. "You just don't expect that from a player of his size. He really adds to their team."
Smith has been turning heads of opponents throughout the season with his shooting prowess. He's shooting 57.9 percent from the field and averaging 10.8 points per game.
In the Judges' 76-51 win over Harrisonburg, Smith scored seven of Handley's 14 first-quarter points. While the rest of the team looked sluggish, Smith kept Handley in the game until his teammates were ready to take over.
Last year was Smith's first at the varsity level and it took him a while to adjust, but by the end of the season Handley coach Tommy Dixon began to see Smith's potential.
"I think he's a lot better athlete than people realize," Dixon said. "He's worked really hard to improve his game."
Smith's work ethic has been a big factor in his success this season. He has worked on improving his shot and has also become solid at the free-throw line.
Whenever Handley (12-1, 8-0 Northwestern) has needed someone to take a technical foul shot, Dixon has turned to Smith, and he's made every one. Smith leads the team in free-throw shooting at 76.9 percent (30 for 39).
"That's just a matter doing something over and over," Smith said. "I just work on it a lot."
Smith also got a boost in confidence from a strong season in football this year. On the gridiron, Smith was dominant at defensive end, where he had 32 tackles, four sacks and two interceptions. In a win over Millbrook, he had a one-handed interception to help seal the game.
He also played at wide receiver, where he had 17 receptions for 253 yards and one touchdown.
"I watched him on the football field this season," Dixon said. "He made some plays that I think even amazed him. I think he gained more confidence and he believes in himself."
That confidence has carried over into basketball season. While most teams are focused on stopping Handley's top scorers, senior forward Chad Moore and junior guard J.J. Dorsey, Smith has shown he can be another weapon for the Judges.
"Chad can jump over everybody and he's a good passer," Smith said. "J.J.'s a really good player. They're two of the best players in the state, but we have some other good players on this team. If they focus on Chad and J.J., other players can step up."
The soft-spoken Smith is very quiet, but said he tries to be as much of a leader as he can.
"I'm not a speaker, but I try to lead by example as much as I can," Smith said.
Smith said he loves basketball, but football is still his favorite sport. He said he hopes to play in college next year and is looking at schools such as Bridgewater College and Shenandoah University.
For now he wants to enjoy his senior year and help the Judges advance to states.
Handley is currently ranked No. 1 in the state in the Group AA Associated Press prep poll. The Judges have won nine straight games, including victories over Millbrook, Robert E. Lee and Orange County. There's no question the Judges have the talent to go a long way this season, it's just a matter of playing their best when it counts the most.
"I think if we reach our potential we can play for the regional title and make it to states and do some things," Dixon said. "We have to take care of the district first. There is still some pretty good teams we have to beat. We just have to keep working on getting better."
Added Smith: "Our goal is to get to states. I think we have a good chance at it if we just keep playing hard. I just want to do whatever I can to help the team out."
