NATCHEZ — Cathedral High School senior Elizabeth Smith may not run the fastest or jump the highest, but none of that matters when the ball is in her hands.

Smith is the starting center for the Lady Wave and being smaller than most hasn’t stopped her from standing out as an all-around leader.

“Elizabeth is the most productive and consistent player we have,” Cathedral coach Peter Arnold said. “She has the underlying athletic ability, but it’s a solid work ethic that makes her great for our team. Everybody we play knows that No. 20 is someone they need to be concerned about.”

Alongside three other seniors, Smith has led Cathedral to a 12-3 record so far this season. She is currently averaging 15 points and nine rebounds a game, and after eight double-doubles on the year, it’s not unlikely for her be trusted with the ball.

Smith guided the Lady Wave to a near comeback against district rival ACCS Tuesday night by scoring 12 points. After trailing 33-11 at halftime, Cathedral came within two points during the final minutes.

“I always try to get the ball into her down low,” fellow senior Marty Lewis said. “She is so strong and can usually put it on the backboard and get it in. ”

“It’s a big compliment knowing that they can depend on me,” Smith said.

Arnold said Smith’s knack for driving her team comes from her longtime participation in athletics. It all started with softball at age 3, and she picked up basketball when she was 4.

“She just gets it,” he said. “If you miss five in a row during a game, you have to be able to believe that you’ll make the next five, and that’s ingrained in her.”

Smith is not only a frontrunner on the court, but in other areas as well.

“She is a really good student, and a very polite, respectful and well-raised kid,” Arnold said. “When you have a good person to work with, it’s a great thing.”

Her time at Cathedral isn’t over yet, but her hard work has already paid off. Smith has signed a scholarship to play softball at Southwest Mississippi Community College after graduation.

“It’s really my coaches and teammates who make me the player I am,” she said. “Without them, I wouldn’t know what to do, but I’m excited to meet new people and get out of my comfort zone.”