Ashley Wise established herself as a strong softball player last season for Cedar Springs.
But she’s asserting herself as an excellent girls basketball player on the rebounding size.
Wise is a 5-foot-10-inch junior forward in her second varsity season.
“She was real consistent for us last year,” Cedar Springs coach Brandon Miller said. “She didn’t score a lot. She doesn’t score a lot for us now. She’s a good defender inside and rebounds the ball very well.”
Miller indicated Wise usually draws the toughest post player from the competition.
“She works her tail off to get in the right position so they’re not a threat.”
Wise has been averaging eight rebounds a game.
“She’s been real consistent,” Miller said. “I think she’s been at eight every game. If I look at last year, she was at about five rebounds a game.
“She’s team captain for our basketball team and has shown great leadership this year in working with our younger players as well.”
Miller has been able to learn plenty about his team after its first three games.
The team “is so young and we’ll have games where we’ll have to learn,” Miller said “We started out 1-2. Overall, we’ll look for consistent improvement throughout the season.”
Wise’s top sport has been softball.
“She plays a lot of travel softball,” Miler said. “But (in basketball) she’s improved significantly since her freshman year enough to be on the varsity as a sophomore. She does put in the time. Softball is her passion.’