The Williston Northampton School’s Kay Samples-Smart signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball at Division 1 Bethune-Cookman University during a special ceremony in Williston’s Athletic Center on Friday, November 12.

Surrounded by her family and joined by her coach, Kevin Kudla, Williston’s Athletic Director Mark Conroy, and Head of School Robert W. Hill III, Kay agreed to attend Bethune-Cookman University as part of the class of 2015. In return, the university agreed to provide her with a full scholarship. Signing the letter also gives notice to other schools that she may no longer be recruited, which will allow her to better focus on her senior year, both academically and athletically.

Kay, who is from Bogota, New Jersey, has been a starter on Williston’s girls’ basketball team for the last two years. She plays primarily off-guard, but Coach Kudla points out that “she is comfortable anywhere because of her versatility.” In 2008-09, Kay averaged 10.3 points per game while handling the opponents’ best scorer. Last year she averaged 13 points per game and led the team in rebounds, blocks, and steals. She is a two-time prep school all-star. “Kay is a gifted athlete and a talented basketball player,” says Coach Kudla. “She is extremely versatile; she can handle the ball efficiently, she can score from inside and out, and she can shut down our opponent’s best scorer. Kay has steadily improved many aspects of her game.”

Kay is the second Williston student in the last five years to sign a National Letter of Intent for a NCAA Division 1 scholarship.

Bethune-Cookman is located in Daytona Beach, Florida. The university’s women’s basketball team finished the 2009-10 season with the most wins in over 20 years.