Natasha Smith loves the 2009-10 Chico State women's basketball team. She's showing that love to her teammates by getting them the ball in a position to score. Smith jumped well into the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) lead in assists this week at 5.4 per game. The junior, named Wildcat of the Week for her accomplishment, also ranks fifth in the CCAA in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.4) and free throw percentage (.762).
In just her third season in the program, Smith is just three assists shy of the Chico State career top-10 list. She's also on pace to break into the top 10 in points, 3-pointers, free throws and steals this season.
Smith has been effusive with her praise of her teammates this season, pointing to their desire to win and the fact that they are all on the same page. Her leadership and well-rounded game have played vital roles in the Wildcats' 5-0 overall start and 2-0 start to CCAA play.
Smith will lead the Wildcats into a showdown with another 5-0 team on Dec. 20 when they face Western Washington on the opening day of the GNAC/CCAA Challenge at 3 p.m. in Bellingham, Wash. They'll face 19th-ranked Seattle Pacific (5-1) the following day at 1 p.m.
