THREE-POINT expert Donna Smith is eyeing a basketball scholarship in America after shooting her way to national honours.

Donna, 14, has been picked to play for England girls in an under-15s friendly against Ireland next weekend and in an international tournament featuring France, Switzerland and the Irish two weeks later.

She is the only girl in her successful Oaklands School first team yet is the star performer, directing play from her position at point guard.

And such has been her progress that she is keen to go on to earn a place with a college team in the United States, where basketball was born, or Australia, where it continues to grow.

The female game is especially big in America, where all-women professional leagues earn big bucks, but it is hard for anyone from overseas to topple home-grown players brought up in the sport.

But Donna said: "I would love to go and play for a college over there and I think I would be good enough if I keep training. I'm also aiming to play for the full England side."

The 5ft 3in youngster has been playing the sport for three years and, despite giving up to a foot in height to some of her male opponents, has often been the most noted player.

"I live in Acomb Road down the road from West Bank Park and I went down there one day and played basketball with the other lads, and I just picked it up from there," she said.

"There are some boys my age who are over six foot tall but it doesn't really matter how tall you are unless you are going to be a rebounder for example."

Donna, who also plays for York Vikings women's team, helped her Oaklands School finish joint top with All Saints School in this season's York and Selby Basketball League after pipping them to the title last year.

She was spotted starring in a regional tournament and, after coming through the England trials in Durham, has now been named in the under-15s team for the forthcoming games.

Head of PE at Oaklands School Andy Swann said: "She's a particularly good ball handler and outside shooter. She's probably the outstanding player in the league, including the boys, and on the strength of our performances this year we're going to enter the national league for the first time.

"Donna has also given a lot back to the sport. We have a coaching programme for younger players and she has been a really good member of the coaching staff along with other pupils doing a 'junior sports leader award'.

"She's also an important role model for the boys and more particularly the girls in encouraging them to take up the sport."

Updated: 11:17 Saturday, June 16, 2001