Congratulating Shayla Smith, 15-year-old Audenried sophomore, for becoming the fastest girls' basketball player to score 1,000 points in Public League history

WHEREAS, Shayla Smith is a sophomore at Universal Audenried High School who on Friday, February 17th became the fastest girls' basketball player to score 1,000 points in Public League history; and

WHEREAS, Smith first found her love of sports through football, which she grew up playing with her brothers. As an early sign of her tenacity and athleticism, Shayla would eventually join her brothers on the field when she began participating in organized football with the Northwest Raiders; and

WHEREAS, Smith started playing basketball by playing pickup games in parks with her brothers, and had never played on a team until she began playing organized basketball in seventh grade. But in the few short years since she began playing the sport, Smith has excelled in basketball and she has averaged nearly 25 points per game this season. Shayla has attended the John Lucas Enterprises Top 160 Invitational Camp in Houston, the ESPN EYBL Nike Nationals, and has been touted as one of the top 50 10th graders in the country; and

WHEREAS, On Friday, February 17th , 2023, Audenried played Masterman in the quarterfinals of the Public League playoffs. Smith needed 31 points to reach 1,000 points for her career and become the fastest girl in Public League history to achieve that milestone; and

WHEREAS, Her final basket Friday came with about 2 minutes, 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter after Smith set a screen at the top of the key for senior guard ZayAhni Neurell, who drew two defenders before passing back to Smith. Smith powered through the paint, slipped between two defenders, and hit a leaning bank shot that gave her 32 points and a new record; and

WHEREAS, The Public League record was previously held by University City’s Shawnetta Stewart, who reached 1,000 points as a sophomore in the mid-1990s after 54 games played. After impressive freshman and sophomore seasons, Smith now broken that record in just her 49th game; and

WHEREAS, Smith went on to help Audenried win its first Philadelphia Public League girls basketball championship by defeating Imhotep Charter. And in recognition of her individual achievements, Smith was named The Philadelphia Public League regular season MVP. With this historic season, City Council wishes her best on her bright future in basketball; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That the hereby congratulates Shayla Smith, 15-year-old Audenried sophomore, for becoming the fastest girls' basketball player to score 1,000 points in Public League history

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Shayla Smith as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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