WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - Don’t let the sweet face fool you.

On the basketball court, Kayla Smith leaves the niceties at the door.

“It’s just something, the rage, it gets to me whenever we step on the floor.” Smith said.

Kayla grew up playing basketball with her older brothers. Maybe that’s where the intensity comes from. But those early pickup games introduced her to a sport that’s grabbed a hold of her.

“It’s just something I’ve been in love with ever since,” she said.

And something she’s gotten very good at. One of the top players in the Bay area, Kayla’s received several scholarship offers and hopes to add to her growing total this senior season. 

“I’m playing a huge role and there is a lot of people coming to see me, win, lose,” Kayla said. “So, I just take it all in and give it all I can.”

When you’re a Winter Haven Lady Blue Devil, there is no other option. You have to give it all you can because the pressure to win for a program used to ending their season with a state championship is real.

“She knows that I’m requiring a lot from her, but she’s ready for it,” head coach Johnnie Lawson said.

As a four-year member of the Lady Blue Devils varsity team, Kayla knows what’s expected of her. Those expectations are high. And she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“It would mean everything to me, especially with the team we have this year, for me to take my team to state and get us a ring,” Kayla said.