WILLIAMSTOWN – Even when Dylan Ashley's senior yr of basketball at Williamstown Excessive College was fully sidelined by an ACL harm, Waynesburg College remained caught within the recruiting course of for the 6-foot-Four ahead.
On Friday afternoon in the highschool gymnasium foyer, Ashley dedicated to play for the Waynesburg Division III males's basketball program subsequent fall.
“I wasn't going to mislead Waynesburg — lots of people sort of stroll round their accidents, however I informed them what occurred they usually stated they didn't care. They nonetheless needed me. In order that's once I knew they had been the correct alternative for me.”
Ashley suffered a knee harm a day after returning house final September at an AAU showcase in Morgantown. Thought to fill a outstanding position for the Yellowjackets after ending fourth on the workforce in scoring the earlier yr, Ashley spent his total senior yr watching from the sidelines.
Waynesburg featured a number of members of the Williamstown teaching workers – head coach Scott Sauro and assistant Rob Strcula. Coach Sauro accompanied Ashley on considered one of his visits.
“After the harm, Dylan nonetheless got here to coaching – he was nonetheless an necessary a part of the workforce and a great team-mate.” Sauro stated. “I’m very comfortable that he’s getting this chance. By taking that yr off, he placed on some weight and would have the ability to put together his physique for the pains of faculty basketball.
“With Dylan being 6-Four, the coach favored having a tall child who might shoot the ball. This season, we needed to change our tasks. We missed Dylan as a result of he's an enormous child who can shoot the ball and guard the submit. He additionally has some versatility in having the ability to play together with his again to the basket. He can guard the submit and the perimeter.”
Initially, Ashley didn't have a significant in thoughts. Taking a re-evaluation, he turned his consideration to being a bodily therapist. The variety of journeys he made to PT throughout his rehab actually gave him an perception into the occupation.
“It's a means to assist sufferers like they helped me,” Ashley stated.
Among the many crowd of teammates, family and friends who joined Ashley for Tuesday's picture alternatives had been mother (Alyson) and grandparents (Terry and Becky Wilson).
His ideas had been additionally together with his father (Dale) and a niece who handed away within the final two years.
“My dad could be very proud to see that occur in the present day.” Ashley stated. “I’ve a tattoo (on my proper forearm) exactly as a result of each time I look down it jogs my memory of him. There was a time when he was homeless and dwelling beneath a bridge. Being within the army, having a spouse and thriving with a household is one thing I respect every single day.
“It has been a really troublesome time within the final two years. I simply belief God and provides him reward. The Williamstown group has actually helped me and my household. I really feel like I can get via something.”
Somebody was trying down on Ashley as Williamstown made the journey to the West Virginia highschool state event in Charleston. His knee brace arrived in time for him to take part in pregame warmups for the Yellowjackets' quarterfinal recreation in opposition to Wheeling Central Catholic.
“The purpose was to at the very least heat up in Charleston,” Ashley stated. “It was a great warm-up. I used to be actually excited simply to the touch the ground and take some pictures.
“It's unlucky what occurred to our workforce on the finish of the season – I've discovered all through life that you need to respect each second. I hoped for one more recreation, however I loved each second.”
Contact Kerry Patrick at kpatrick@newsandsentinel.com