East Bladen’s Laila Smith Signs with Barton College for Basketball and Track

Elizabethtown, NC - ​One of East Bladen’s most decorated student-athletes is taking her talents to the collegiate level. Laila Smith, a multi-sport standout and key contributor in both basketball and track, has officially signed with Barton College, where she will compete in both basketball and track & field.

Smith’s impact on the court was undeniable over her four years on the East Bladen varsity basketball team. From the moment she stepped on the floor as a freshman, she played like someone who had been there before. That first year, she helped guide the Lady Eagles to the fourth round of the 2A state playoffs, averaging 6.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.

Each year, her game—and her leadership—continued to grow. By her senior season, Smith was averaging 16.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 4.8 steals, and over a block per contest. That East Bladen team fought its way all the way to the 1A State Championship game, capping off one of the most impressive playoff runs in program history.

But her athletic talent wasn’t limited to the hardwood. Smith was just as dominant on the track. At this year’s 1A Regional Championships, she qualified for the NCHSAA State Meet in two events. In the 100-meter hurdles, she finished second with a time of 17.37 seconds. Then she returned to claim gold in the 300-meter hurdles, clocking in at 50.26 seconds. She went on to place 5th in the state in the hurdles.

Now, she’s preparing to take on both sports at the next level—and she’s ready for the challenge.

“I absolutely love basketball. Truthfully, my goal is to go to the WNBA,” Smith said. “I didn’t think I’d get the opportunity to compete in track at the next level because I had an injury during the state meet. I love track, though. It keeps me in shape, and I love hurdles. I’m thankful both coaches gave me the opportunity. I’m blessed.”

On the basketball side, Barton sees her as a potential point guard, and she’s aiming to make an early impact.

“Over the summer, with a lot of hard work, I could make the varsity team my freshman year, because they have both a JV and Varsity team,” she explained.

Reflecting on her time at East Bladen and under the leadership of longtime head coach Patty Evers, Smith became emotional.

“I love my coach so much. It hurts me that she’s retiring, but I hope she comes to see my games. She taught me so much and helped me transition from middle school to high school,” Smith said. “We may have been neck and neck going at it in practice, but I love her like a second mom. She teaches life lessons—especially about keeping your grades good. The basketball program is truly like family. I’d put that against any school in the area.”

Smith also offered encouragement for the next wave of student-athletes coming up through the ranks.

“Work hard, and stay prayed up,” she said. “There are so many times in my life, especially my junior year when I got in my car accident, that I didn’t know what I would do. I thought I was gonna die that day. But God helped me and He saved me. I’m blessed now with this opportunity. Listen to your parents, your coaches, and most of all, be coachable. Always do the right thing, because there’s always young people watching. You may not think you have a fan, but you have fans. Set an example.”

As Laila Smith begins her next chapter, Bladen County can take pride in not only the athlete she’s become but the young woman she is. Her story is a reminder that hard work, faith, and perseverance still go a long way.

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East Bladen’s Laila Smith Signs with Barton College for Basketball and Track