Cook captain: Wheeling's Wilson is the kind of player she once admired

Posted March 05, 2009 10:00 pm

By John Leusch

During her sophomore season, Ashley Wilson battles for the ball with Hersey's Kristie Willenborg. Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer

As a middle school student five years ago, Ashley Wilson remembers going to games and watching the Wheeling varsity girls basketball team.

She was pretty much awe-struck.

Today, that's the same way elementary and junior high students feel when they watch Wilson perform.

After every home game she has a group of middle school students asking for an autograph and getting pictures taken with her.

She even has her own group of super fans at the game who chant "A Dub" when she is announced. That's a nickname given to her by coach Shelly Wiegel.

Wiegel has been able to see Wilson dazzle the little kids and super fans for the past four years.

This season has been the best of them all, as Wilson has helped lead the Wildcats to their first appearance in the state finals and the 6-foot senior has also been named the Daily Herald 2008-09 honorary co-captain of the Cook County girls basketball All-Area team.

"It feels really cool," said Wilson, about her celebrity status among all the Wildcats' little fans. "I remember when I first saw the varsity team and I thought it would be so amazing to be like those players. Now it feels cool to be that person."

And to be playing in Normal tonight.

"Ever since my freshman year I wanted a chance to play downstate," Wilson said. "I didn't know what year it would be, but obviously this is the one now."

Wilson, who will play for Purdue University, will head to Normal with nearly 1,900 career points and more than 1,100 rebounds, both school records.

The Mid-Suburban League East Player of the Year enjoyed her finest high school season, averaging 18.4 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.3 steals and 3.1 assists.

"Ashley spent all summer getting ready for her senior year," Wiegel said. "She made it known that this was going to be the best year in Wheeling history, and she was going to do whatever was needed to help our team break through in the playoffs."

Wilson lived up to her words.

"She challenged herself and her teammates to expect more, to do more, to want more than we had done in the past," Wiegel said. "Her strength, athleticism and determination put her at an elite level that I am impressed by every day. I feel so lucky to have had the privilege to coach her these past four years. "

Wilson made her commitment to Purdue before her senior season.

"Purdue is getting a truly talented individual who brings everything you want in a leader and a winner," Wiegel said. "Her talent is amazing, and the fact that she works hard everyday to get better will serve her well as she enters Big Ten play.

"As sad as we are to see her graduate, we are all excited to see her play at the next level. Purdue is getting a gem."

In her four seasons, Wilson helped lead the Wildcats to three regionals, three sectional final appearances with one title (first girls or boys title in school history) and two conference titles (first title in school history).

She also was a part of one outright title and one co-championship title at the Niles North Thanksgiving tournament and three championships at the Warren Winter Classic.

Wilson goes out with the highest of praise from Wiegel.

"She has always done whatever is necessary to help the team win," the coach said. "And it makes her the ultimate teammate and a pleasure to coach."

Ashley Wilson of Wheeling looks for room during her junior season as Montini's Michala Johnson defends. Bev Horne | Staff Photographer

Purdue-bound senior Ashley Wilson has led Wheeling to the Class 4A state semifinals. Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

In her freshman year, Ashley Wilson tries to drive between the Mocchi twins of Buffalo Grove, Maggie, left, and Allison. Joe Lewnard | Staff Photographer

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>All-Area basketball teams coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Cook County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=276980">Girls team</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276982">Boys team</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276929">Captain: Ashley Wilson</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276927">Captain: Cully Payne</a></li> </ul> <h2>Cook PDF pages</h2> <ul class="morePdf"> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/cook1.pdf">Page 1 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/cook2.pdf">Page 2 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/cook3.pdf">Page 3 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/cook4.pdf">Page 4 </a></li> </ul> <h2><A HREF="http://dailyherald.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=706057&CategoryID=5971">Purchase PDF page reprints</A></h2> <h2>DuPage County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=276984">Girls team</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276985">Boys team</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276917">Captain: Toni Kokenis </a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276915">Captain: Danny Crawford</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276916">Past girls captains</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276914">Past boys captains</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276931">The best of the girls season</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276930">The best of the boys season</a></li> </ul> <h2>DuPage PDF pages</h2> <ul class="morePdf"> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/dupage1.pdf">Page 1 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/dupage2.pdf">Page 2 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/dupage3.pdf">Page 3 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/dupage4.pdf">Page 4 </a></li> </ul> <h2><A HREF="http://dailyherald.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=706057&CategoryID=5971">Purchase PDF page reprints</A></h2> <h2>Fox Valley</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=276978">Girls team</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276990">Boys team</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276709">Captain: Kati Yohn </a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276820">Captain: Marc Little</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276780">Captain: Conrad Krutwig</a></li> </ul> <h2>Video</h2> <ul class="video"> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/multimedia/?category=19&type=video&item=88">Fox Valley captains </a></li> </ul> <h2>Fox Valley PDF pages</h2> <ul class="morePdf"> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/foxvalley1.pdf">Page 1 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/foxvalley2.pdf">Page 2 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/foxvalley3.pdf">Page 3 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/foxvalley4.pdf">Page 4 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/foxvalley5.pdf">Page 5 </a></li> </ul> <h2><A HREF="http://dailyherald.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=706057&CategoryID=5971">Purchase PDF page reprints</A></h2> <h2>Lake County</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=276987">Girls team</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276981">Boys team</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276907">Captain: Lydia Bauer </a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276908">Captain: Brandon Paul</a></li> </ul> <h2>Lake PDF pages</h2> <ul class="morePdf"> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/lake1.pdf">Page 1 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/lake2.pdf">Page 2 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/lake3.pdf">Page 3 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/lake4.pdf">Page 4 </a></li> </ul> <h2><A HREF="http://dailyherald.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=706057&CategoryID=5971">Purchase PDF page reprints</A></h2> <h2>Tri Cities</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=276989">Girls team</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276988">Boys team</a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276904">Captain: Taylor Whitley </a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=276905">Captain: Jeremy D'Amico</a></li> </ul> <h2>Tri Cities PDF pages</h2> <ul class="morePdf"> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/tricities1.pdf">Page 1 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/tricities2.pdf">Page 2 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/tricities3.pdf">Page 3 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/tricities4.pdf">Page 4 </a></li> <li><a href="http://www.dailyherald.com/images/allareapdfs09/tricities5.pdf">Page 5 </a></li> </ul> <h2><A HREF="http://dailyherald.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=706057&CategoryID=5971">Purchase PDF page reprints</A></h2> </div> </div> </div>

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