Women's Basketball

Schedule/Results | Roster | News | Archives

Feb. 6, 2006

The Gobonnies.com Student-Athlete of the Week profiles a different St. Bonaventure student-athlete each week. This feature will allow Bonnies supporters to learn more about the outstanding student-athletes that represent St. Bonaventure University.

Redshirt freshman Ashley Edwards, a 5-foot-11 forward on the basketball team, talks about her young career.

As a team, what do you have to do to reestablish the success you had early in the season?

AE: I think the most important thing is for us to stick together. We have to make sure we are mentally prepared for each game and stay focused in practice so that we're game ready.

Talk about sitting out your first season due to a back injury. What were your frustrations? What did you learn from a year of observing Division I basketball?

AE: It was hard to sit there and watch and not be able to contribute on the floor. I just kept telling myself that when I get the chance to get out there, I'm going to make the most of it. Sitting out wasn't a good thing, but I did get an extra year to learn more about the game and prepare physically.

At 5-foot-11, you are considered undersized at the forward position. What attributes do you possess that allow you to be successful against other post players?

AE: Coach gave me a quote before the season that said "Tall ain't all." He reminded me that those same players have to guard me. It's tough for a taller player to come out to the perimeter and guard me because my feet are faster than theirs. Defensively, I've learned to not pick up silly fouls and to out-smart and out-hustle my opponent.

Assistant coach Courtney Mattingly is a former player who played under Head Coach Jim Crowley. How much has her knowledge of the program and Coach Crowley helped the team?

AE: Courtney is a great coach. She's given us tips of what coach likes and what he expects of us. She's shared a lot of her experiences as a player and we can really learn from that.

You've been named A-10 Rookie of the Week in back-to-back weeks ... what do these awards mean to you?

AE: Its helps you stay focused and understand that when you do play well, people notice. I was excited for people to see how much hard work I put into this sport, but I didn't need winning the Rookie of the Week to know that I'm playing well because my teammates are always there supporting me and telling me that I'm doing a good job.

Describe what it felt like to play in front of your family and friends in Philadelphia a few weekends ago.

AE: I think I was really loose because those were gyms that I played in during high school. Coach reminded me before each game to just go out and just play and I think that helped me relax. All my family and friends were really supportive and that was a great feeling.

What is it like being able to play college basketball with your high school teammate Megan Ellis? How have you helped each other?

AE: It's always nice to have someone from home around that really understands you. We know we can always rely on each other for anything and that gives you a sense of comfort. As far as on the court goes, we have been playing together so long that we have good chemistry and that is something the team can feed off of.

Your uncle, Emanuel Davis, played a few seasons in the NBA. What have you learned from him?

AE: He's always taught me that if you work hard you'll be rewarded and if it doesn't come the first time, keep trying. He had to battle so hard just to get to the NBA that he's always telling me to not to give up when things aren't going my way.