Class of 2019 Highlands Athletic Hall of Fame: Derek Smith

DEREK SMITH

HIGHLANDS HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

Class of 2019

Derek Smith - Class of 1999 is considered one of the most accomplished athletes in the history of Highlands High School. He was a four year starter in basketball and was the Ninth Region Player of the Year and First Team All-State in his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. He was runner-up for Mr. Kentucky Basketball his senior year. He was named the KHSAA Male Basketball Player of the Year. He is also the second leading scorer in Highlands history with 2,229 career points. His Highlands basketball jersey (#35) is retired in the school gymnasium.

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In football, Derek was a three-year starter and played on State Championship teams his sophomore and senior years. He was first team All-State his junior and senior years and was the runner-up for Mr. Kentucky Football his senior year. He was named the Gatorade Kentucky State Football Player of the Year, News Media KY High School Football Player of the Year, and Paul Hornung KY High School Football Player of the Year.

Jared Lorenzen and Derek Smith

As a senior he was named the KHSAA Male Athlete of the Year. He was named the National Grid Hoop Player of the Year as the best football/basketball player in the nation. He was recruited by every major football school in the country in which he showed interest.  Smith was an All-SEC tight end at UK and played one season on the Cincinnati Bengals practice squad.

He is married to Juli Sublett-Smith.

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To purchase tickets for the 2019 HHS Athletic Hall of Fame Reception, tickets must be purchased on Eventbrite.com by September 5, 2019 - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/highlands-high-school-athletic-hall-of-fame-2019-reception-registration-66561391915

Tickets are $55 for the dinner reception at The Syndicate in Newport, Kentucky on 9/22/19 at 6:00 p.m. The Hall of Fame ceremony in the HHS PAC begins at 3:00 p.m. on 9/22. That event is free and open to the public.