Athlete Profile: Ashlyn Allen

The Oconto Falls High School girls basketball team is hoping for another strong finish in the tough North Eastern Conference this winter. Senior Ashlyn Allen is one of the team’s leaders and is leading the team in scoring so far this season.

Through the team’s first three games, Allen was averaging 10.7 points per game. She made at least two 3-pointers in each game, and connected on three triples during a 15-point performance against Little Chute on Nov. 22.

Allen recorded five assists and four steals in a season-opening win over Menominee Indian on Nov. 17.

Q: When did your interest in basketball begin?

A: I have loved basketball ever since I was introduced to it when I was about 4 years old and I went to all my sister’s (Kaelyn) tournaments and games. My dad (Dan) played a huge part in getting me involved at a young age and still is always down to shoot around with me or play a game of around the world.

Q: What is your favorite part about the basketball season?

A: Just overall spending four months with some of my best friends and getting to play the game I love. Basketball gives me friends I might not otherwise have, and I’m so thankful for that.

Q: What has the game of basketball taught you over the years?

A: Basketball has taught me not only a variety of life skills, such as hard work and responsibility, but also how to be a part of something bigger than myself. You depend on your teammates the same way they depend on you, which makes you hold yourself accountable and learn to persevere when things get hard.

Q: As a senior, how do you try to lead the rest of your team?

A: I always want to be someone that my teammates can look up to on and off the court. I want them to be able to come to me whether it be how to run a play, where they should be in a drill, or help with homework.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do on the basketball court, and why?

A: I love when someone hits a big shot and it completely changes the momentum of the game. The student section goes wild, and you can feel the rush of adrenaline surrounding you, your teammates, and the entire gym.

Q: Do you have any individual goals you hope to accomplish this winter season, and how do you plan on achieving those?

A: I want to really focus on doing the little things right which will then turn into big things. I also want to score as much as I can and create scoring opportunities for my teammates so that we can succeed as a team and potentially win all-conference awards.

Q: Being a few games into the season now, what are some aspects of the game that your team wants to improve in?

A: Right now we are working on improving our offense to decrease the times that we don’t score during games. Since we don’t have much height on the team, we also want to continuously improve our defense and use our quickness to our advantage.

Q: Before a game starts, do you or the team have any routines or rituals you go through?

A: The team always has the speaker on max volume and we jam out in the locker room. We mess around and laugh and just relax. Then right before coach (Tim Solarek) comes in, we stretch and start to focus on the game.

Q: What’s your favorite memory of competing on the Oconto Falls girls basketball team?

A: Beating Peshtigo in double overtime two years in a row. They were both very high-intensity games and it was super exciting to get the win after fighting so hard.

Q: Favorite movie, TV show, and musical artist?

A: Movie — “The Maze Runner.” TV show — “Bones” or “S.W.A.T.” Musical artist — Taylor Swift.

Q: Name one thing about yourself that not many people know.

A: I’ve been stung by a jellyfish!

Q: What are some things you hope to accomplish after graduating high school?

A: Attend a four-year university for a degree in criminal justice and a minor in Spanish.

AT A GLANCE

Athlete: Ashlyn Allen

Sport: Girls basketball

Position: Point guard, shooting guard

School: Oconto Falls High School

Year: Senior