The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ashley Johnson Steps To The Front
2/20/2003 | Women's Basketball
Feb. 20, 2003
OXFORD, Miss. - For most college athletes the first season of competition is used as an opportunity to learn a new system and get acclimated to new surroundings. The freshman season is a chance for rookies to get their feet wet, so to speak. For Ole Miss Lady Rebel freshman Ashley Johnson this season has been all that and more.
Coming from Shebyville Central, one of the most dominate high school basketball programs in the state of Tennessee, Johnson pretty much had her pick of which two schools she wanted to play college basketball for. One, a team of veteran upperclassmen; the other, a young team looking for leadership after losing six players, including four starters. So, it comes as a surprise that the young guard chose the young team over the veteran.
"I wanted to play for the place that I could make the most impact," said Johnson, a Pre-Pharmacy major. "Coming to Ole Miss, Coach (Ron) Aldy told me that if I worked hard, I could get some playing time. Maybe, not start every game, but at least get in a few minutes and hopefully make an impact."
Make an impact is an understatement, as the Shelbyville, Tenn., native has played in all 22 games so far for the Lady Rebels. In fact, the freshman is second on the team in scoring, averaging 8.8 points per game and is ranked seventh in the SEC in three-point shooting percentage (.403).
"We knew when we recruited Ashley that she was coming from a very good program," said Aldy. "She was the Tennessee Miss Basketball in Class AAA, so we knew she would see some playing time, but it was a surprise to us when she first got here to see how tough of a competitor she really is."
Coming from a winning program in high school is one thing, but making the transition to the college level, particularly in the Southeastern Conference, is a whole other ballgame. However, the 5-9 guard has made the transition with little problems. So little problems, in fact, that she is know considered to be one of the leaders on this young team of Lady Rebels.
"It was evident when she came in, that once she got in shape, she would be a very good player in the future," said Aldy, who is in his sixth year at Ole Miss. "I was a little surprised by the things she was doing early in the season, but now we have come to expect her to perform well."
Even Johnson herself was a little surprised at first by the number of minutes she has seen. But she too has come to expect only the best from herself.
"I try not to look at myself as a freshman anymore," Johnson said. "I have bonded with everyone on the team and I know what they expect fromme. I see myself in more of a young veteran role."
Despite the Lady Rebels struggles this season, Johnson still sees ways the Lady Rebels are gaining positives for the remaining games. She also knows the competition is some of the toughest in the country.
"We have had several games that came down to one or two mistakes, or even just some bad luck, that if we had those games back, we would win them," Johnson said. "That is just how tough the college level is. Everyone is an all-state player. Everyone is an All-American."
Johnson sees this team as one of the best she has ever played on. She hopes to one day be a member of the Ole Miss team that returns to the days of SEC dominance.
"I think that this team is capable of returning Ole Miss to the glory days," Johnson said. "The players, the coaches, everyone works together. The coaches don't yell at you, they talk to you, tell you what you are doing wrong, work with you to get better. And we will."
And with Johnson leading the way, the future looks bright for Aldy's Army of Lady Rebels.
