Senior Moment: Ashley Fleming

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State University women’s basketball senior Ashley Fleming is shown here being introduced with her family on Senior Day (Photo/Sandy Gholston)

BIG RAPIDS – Bruises, a black eye, a bandaged hand, a heavily-wrapped knee and more have not damaged Ferris State University’s Ashley Fleming’s will to succeed on the basketball court.

Fleming was all smiles, however, as the senior class (Teghan Thelen, Jenna Guay and Caitlin Hutchison) went out as winners in their final game on the hardwood of Jim Wink Arena. The 6-foot-1 Posen native, who prepped at Rogers City High School, was back at it Saturday as she finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots in a crucial 69-66 win over Lake Superior State in Jim Wink Arena.

“This was a huge game for us because we knew we needed a win and we knew Lake Superior was a strong team,” said Fleming, who is averaging 8.7 points and 5.3 rebounds through 23 games this season – 21 of which she started. “We knew we needed to get this game and we also wanted to get a win in our last game at home and it was nice we were able to get it done.”

All four seniors started Saturday’s win over Lake Superior and were key parts of the team’s much-needed victory. In addition to Fleming’s efforts, Ferris had 12 points, nine rebounds and three blocks from Jenna Guay; 21 points, five rebounds and five assists from Teghan Thelen; and four points, one assist and a steal from Caitlin Hutchison.

Seniors are supposed to deliver on Senior Day, and this group delivered on its day.

“I’m very proud of our team and the way we’ve come back from the tough times we had during the season,” Fleming said as her team is on the road for its final two regular-season games at Northwood (Thursday) and at Wayne State (Saturday). “Even when we had some of those tough losses we stayed together and we always kept our heads up. Now, we’re starting to come back together. It’s exciting the way we’re playing right now.”

In Senior Moments, Sandy Gholston interviewed each of the six men’s and women’s basketball seniors from Ferris State University to find out what some of their thoughts were entering the final regular-season college basketball weekend of their careers. The student-athletes interviewed were Mark Gildersleeve and Jason Holder of the men’s basketball team and Caitlin Hutchison, Jenna Guay, Teghan Thelen and Ashley Fleming of the women’s basketball team.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com