Jody Imbrie Smith never thought she would have the kind of basketball career she had.

Growing up in Butler in the 1970s, she didn't have a junior high program to play in. She had to travel to Pittsburgh and play with the help of Dutch Angeloni.

Even in her own family, she had to fight to play. Older brother Chuck resisted her efforts to play pick-up games with him and his friends. Smith eventually wedged her way in because of her talent.

"I always played with the boys down at the (YMCA)," Smith said. "My brother was a little bit older, but he eventually let me play."

Good thing because Smith had game.

A 1979 graduate of Butler High School, she left as the all-time leading scorer at the time with 1,252 points in her career.

She was named to the all-section team three times and led the Golden Tornado to the WPIAL final during her junior season.

The guard also helped Butler post a 75-21 record in her four years on the court.

"There were so many memories from high school," Smith said. "I remember as a freshman being put on varsity and being put into a double-overtime game. I remember being nervous. I was put into a pressure situation as a freshman."

Losing the WPIAL final game at Civic Arena in Pittsburgh was the toughest memory to recall.

"There were so many good things," Smith said. "The disappointment of losing the WPIAL final at Civic Arena is probably one of the few bad things."

Things got better for Smith after she left Butler.

Recruited by bigger schools such as West Virginia University, Smith chose to attend Grove City College instead.

The allure of a small campus close to home was too much to ignore for the bright lights and big-time programs that were interested in her skills."I was a homebody," Smith said. "I admit it. My parents never missed a game and I wanted to play close to home."The beauty of the campus and the educational reputation was also a slam dunk for Smith.She didn't disappoint her new school.Smith was an instant star for the Wolverines.She was named first-team, all-conference all four years there and left with 2,288 career points - the most of any woman or man in Grove City College basketball history.During her senior season, she led the nation in scoring at 28.5 points per game."I hoped I could help their team," Smith said of Grove City. "I never expected I'd do what I did."Now 42 and living in Alpharetta, Ga. with her husband Mark and three children, Kara, 14, Erik, 12, and Kylee, 10, Smith is still coaching.Smith was inducted into the Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1989. Mark was inducted just this year to make the couple the first husband-wife team in the Hall.Kylee has been playing basketball since she was in kindergarten. Kara and Erik also have the love for basketball and play often.And Smith helps them where she can, trying to walk the line between coach and mom."We try hard not to bombard them with things," Smith said. "It's very difficult not to yell things at them, constructive things. But we have to remember we're parents and we're watching now, not coaching."That doesn't mean there isn't some playful banter from time to time.But Jody and Mark were scorers when they played at Butler and in college."We always kind of joke with (Kara) because she doesn't shoot a lot," Smith said. "We tell her dad and I shot plenty, we can't figure out why you don't."Smith only hopes her kids can have the kind of career she did.And is still having.Smith hasn't hung up the high tops just yet. She doesn't have to fight nearly as much now to get on the court as she did when she was a kid in Butler."Coaches still ask me to fill in," Smith said. "I don't play that much, but it does feel good to get out there. I still feel good. We tell our kids they can't call us old unless they beat us."