Living a dream
ADAMS TWP — Christian Schmitt answered his coach’s challenge in high school.
The Mars senior point guard will look to answer his own challenge in college.
Schmitt recently accepted an offer to join the Furman University basketball team in Greenville, S.C., as a preferred walk-on next year, meaning he will automatically make the Paladins’ roster. But he will have to battle athletes on scholarship for playing time.
“I know it’s not going to be easy, especially given the fact it’s a young team down there with a lot of guards,” Schmitt said. “But I’ve risen to challenges before and I believe I can do it again.”
Schmitt averaged 11 points and five assists for the Planets last year, helping the team post a 26-3 record. He took over the Mars point guard duties as a sophomore.
“He was our best ballhandler, so we kind of thrust Christian into that position,” Mars coach Rob Carmody said. “It was a lot to ask of a sophomore. He had to run the offense, be the quarterback, become a leader.
“He’s done all of those things. He has led us to two section titles already and we’re hoping he can go three-for-three.”
Mars is 41-13 over the past two seasons, 24-2 in section play, with Schmitt manning the point.
Furman finished 11-22 last season under coach Niko Medved, now in his third year. But the Paladins reached the Southern Conference championship game for the first time in 13 years, losing a 67-64 decision to Wofford.
Furman has one junior, three sophomore and two freshman guards on this year’s roster, along with all-conference senior guard Stephen Croone, who averaged 19.1 ppints per game a year ago.
“That guy is supposed to be one of the best point guards in the country this year,” Schmitt said. “I feel likeI’m walking into a pretty good fit down there.
“I know I’ll have to work 10 times harder than the scholarship players to get on the court. Those guys are investments by the coach and the program.
“But anyone who plays any sport dreams of playing at the Division I college level. They offered me the chance and I took it,” Schmitt added.
Furman scouts saw Schmitt play with the Pittsburgh Nets AAU team at a tournament in Kentucky a few months ago. Schmitt also sent film of himself to the Paladins.
“Now that he’s gotten this opportunity, Christian is not going to lay back,” Carmody said. “He will work even harder than he does now and he’s one of the hardest working guys I’ve coached.
“He’s always in the gym, lifting weights, working on his ballhandling, putting in time with our youth program ... Christian just loves basketball.”
Carrying a 3.7 grade point average, Schmitt plans to major in the business field at Furman. He said he wanted to use basketball “to get into a high-end academic school that I may not have been able to do otherwise.”
Even without basketball, he said he would love the school.
“Take basketball out of the equation, there’s still the academics, social life, geographical location ... I’d still want to come here,” Schmitt said.
“He’s worked for this opportunity and it happened for him,” Carmody said. “He can play at that level and I’m excited for him.”
