Council Rock South's Karissa Smedley playing through pain and playing well

NORTHAMPTON TWP. — It was kind of a could-she, should-she dilemma Karissa Smedley and the Council Rock South girls lacrosse team faced in the early part of the season.

Smedley, a three-sport standout (soccer, basketball and lacrosse), was suffering from a nasty case of shin splints sustained during basketball season and was on the sidelines at the outset of the lacrosse season.

"She was really hurting and those are so painful," CR South head coach Madison Hurwitz said. "But Karissa is so team-oriented and she cares so much that she said she could play. Maybe she should have rested a little longer, but she wouldn't be denied."

An early return

The Golden Hawks had started off 3-0, but a big test was next against Pennridge.

"Pennridge smoked us last season and they're always really tough," Smedley said. "And I wanted to play and try and help the team."

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So, naturally, she played, despite not practicing.

"There were times after games when she could barely walk to the bus, but she never complained," Hurwitz said. "She just shows up every day and gives everything she has."

The wins piled up

And the Golden Hawks kept winning, starting out 8-0 before a loss to Central Bucks West.

While the defeat stung, they rebounded nicely and are now 10-3 overall and 6-2 in the Suburban One League, putting them right in the thick of the SOL National Conference race after a 13-7 win over rival Council Rock North on Wednesday.

"This is one of the best seasons we've had, and Karissa is such a big part of it," Hurwitz said. "And to think she didn't start playing lacrosse until her freshman year."

What?!

"I grew up playing soccer, and I always loved playing basketball, but some friends of mine were playing lacrosse and said that I should try it," Smedley said.

For subscribers: Who were the best athletes at Bucks County schools? Here are the Council Rock South boys

"We didn't have a season my freshman year because of COVID, but we practiced for a bit, and I started to play for a club team and loved it right away."

No offense, just defense

And it's not like Smedley plays a glamorous position. She's the Golden Hawks' "backer," which is the last line of defense before the goalie.

"I love playing defense and taking charges, like in basketball," Smedley said. "For me, stopping somebody from scoring is as satisfying as scoring a goal."

It will be basketball in college for Smedley as she is headed to Georgian Court University in New Jersey.

"She's such a great kid and is really good in every sport she plays," CR North athletic director Tim Dailey said. "She's going to missed when she graduates."

Plenty of options

Hurwitz, who also coaches club lacrosse, simply marvels at Smedley's athleticism.

"You don't see that many kids anymore that play three sports," Hurwitz said. "A lot of them just stick to maybe one sport.

"And you really never see kids that play three sports be really good at all of them, but Karissa is. I know she's playing basketball in college, but she could play college lacrosse in college if she wanted to — she's that good. She's just a natural in every sport she plays. It's really remarkable."

Smedley knows her lacrosse playing will come to an end soon, but she hopes not too soon.

"We're having a really good season and our goals have changed some from the start of the season to now," Smedley said.

"It would be great to keep playing well and get a home (PIAA District One Class 3A) playoff game and win. This team has the ability to do that and I'm just happy that I can be a part of it."

For subscribers: Who were best athletes in 2000s at Bucks County schools? Here are Council Rock South girls

Drew Markol: dmarkol@theintell.com; @dmarkol

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: CR South's Smedley ignoring injuries and helping Golden Hawks win