AMERICUS — Ashley Harrison left her mark on the defensive end of the floor her two seasons at South Georgia Tech.
Harrison leaves the Lady Jets program as the single-game, single-season and career record holder in blocked shots. Her new coach — Phillip Wallace at Miles College — can’t wait for her to bring that same defensive presence to the SIAC school located in Birmingham.
“We need the shot-blocking and the rebounding,” he said. “We need to get better defensively. One of our weaknesses was giving up second-chance points. Ashley can come in and alter shots and get some key rebounds and make some points.”
The Golden Bears finished the season 14-14 overall and 10-10 in conference play, losing in the second round of the SIAC Tournament. They are losing their top scorer and rebounder in Sade Odutola, the team’s only senior.
Harrison said she chose Miles over West Virginia Tech, and she’s excited about making an impact on the defensive end.
“I’m better at defense, and I like playing it better,” she said. “I have to improve my endurance and ability to jump higher to get more rebounds and be better on the boards.”
Harrison averaged 8.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and two blocks this season for the Lady Jets. Her best game came in a 71-65 loss to Darton at home when she scored 22 points, grabbed nine rebounds and blocked five shots.
She blocked a school-record seven shots in her freshman season against North Florida Community College, blocked 66 total in her freshman year, and she finished with 125 for her career.
“I think Ashley made a lot of progress as a player, and certainly as a person in her two years here,” said Lady Jets coach Brandan Harrell. “She came in athletic, but her basketball was very raw and not very skilled. She really put a lot of time and effort into making her game better, and she turned into a pretty good player. I think she will be successful at the next level.”
Wallace said he has a lot of expectations for Harrison.
“She wasn’t as much of an offensive factor, and we want to make her a well-rounded basketball player,” he said. “We want her to bring the offense up to where her defense is. The finished product should make us a better ball club. I expect a double-double out of her.”
Harrison’s response?
“I know I just have to get better and do whatever he wants me to,” she said. “I expect to have those kind of games. I have to play hard and remain focused.”
Local Sports
Related Photos
-
Chris Whitaker
Shot-blocker Harris signs with Miles (Ala.)
- Local Sports
-
-
Eagles land two on All-Region Team, have four honorable mention
Two members of the Marion County baseball team were named to the 2012 All-Region Second Team for Region 4-A recently and four other players received honorable mention. The group of Eagle standouts was lead by Dylan McClellan and Jake McTaggert, who each represent Marion County on the Second Team.
-
Southland star signs with GSW
Alex Lindsey will be continuing her softball career at the college level, and she will not have to move very far to accomplish that feat. Lindsey, the superstar pitcher for the Southland Academy Lady Raiders softball team, signed with the Georgia Southwestern State University Hurricanes on Tuesday.
-
Wildcats’ baseball season comes to an end
Last Tuesday the Schley County Wildcats traveled to Charlton County to take on the Indians in the Class A state quarterfinals. The two teams were the final two public schools left in the Class A playoffs.
-
McKenzie selected to take part in Future Stars Game
Staley Middle School eighth grade quarterback Emory McKenzie is no stranger to success. Even McKenzie said he was taken aback, however, when he learned that he was chosen to represent his state in the Future Stars Game on June 16th.
-
Blue team holds off late charge from Gold team in Americus-Sumter’s 2012 spring football game
In the first Americus-Sumter football action of the 2012 year, the Blue team survived a late charge by the Gold team to earn the victory in the Panthers’ 2012 Spring game. After taking an early 13-0 lead, the Blue team had to sack Gold team quarterback Jonathon Thomas late in the fourth quarter to preserve a 13-6 win and earn bragging rights until next spring.
-
Former GSW and SGTC coach Dawson named head coach at Central Georgia Technical College
Another former Georgia Southwestern assistant basketball coach will be the head coach of another program next fall. Reco Dawson, who was an assistant coach on Mike Leeder’s staff at GSW during the 2011-2012 basketball season, recently accepted the head coaching position at Central Georgia Technical College in Macon, Georgia.
-
GSW's Griffin secures top 10 finish at Nationals
He started the tournament with a birdie. He ended the tournament with a birdie. In between, Georgia Southwestern golfer J.P. Griffin continued to play some terrific golf at the three-round, three-day NCAA Division II National Championships. Griffin finished at 4-under par and tied for ninth place in the 108-player field.
-
GSW club fishing team to compete in National Tournament
Georgia Southwestern has a long history of being successful in athletics. From boasting the 2002 NAIA Player of the Year in baseball player Paul Bush, to winning the school’s first Division Championship in the NCAA-era with a Western Division Championship in the 2011 basketball season.
-
Americus-Sumter dominates All-Region soccer team
The Region 1-AAA All-Region team was recently announced, and the Americus-Sumter Panthers won numerous awards from the head man all the way down to a freshman. After having an amazing year in which the Panthers finished with a 12-5 record and won the school’s first ever Region Championship in soccer, the Americus-Sumter soccer teams and head coach were recognized for all of their hard work with numerous post season awards.
-
Panthers spring football game set for Friday
Local football fans that are foaming at the mouth waiting for August to roll around can get a taste for the upcoming season this Friday night as the Americus-Sumter Panthers will be hosting their annual Blue-Gold spring game. The Panthers, who finished as the Region 1-AAA runner up in 2010 and 2011, will see how their team has progressed through their spring practices and evaluate their positions for the upcoming 2012 season.
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
