Ward’s Presence Boosts Lady War Eagles

Ashley Ward, a Rogers Heritage senior, tries to drive Tuesday around Springdale High senior Brittany Jurgens at War Eagle Arena in Rogers.
Ashley Ward, a Rogers Heritage senior, tries to drive Tuesday around Springdale High senior Brittany Jurgens at War Eagle Arena in Rogers.

— Kevin Ramey has no doubt his Rogers Heritage girls basketball team is better with Ashley Ward on the floor.

The tangible contributions are easy to see as the 5-foot-8 senior leads Heritage in scoring (12.2 points per game) and rebounding (5.7 rebounds per game). But Ramey said those are only the tip of the iceberg.

Profile

Ashley Ward

School: Rogers Heritage

Class: Senior

Height: 5-8

Notable: Led the Lady War Eagles in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore. ... Sat out her junior season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her knee. ... Leads Heritage in scoring (12.2 points) and rebounding (5.7) as a senior and is shooting 57 percent from the floor.

“She gives us a physical, low-post presence,” Ramey said. “I think you see what an impact player she really is. But her desire to compete and win drives everything.”

The Lady War Eagles got the chance last season to try it without Ward, who led the team in scoring and rebounding as a sophomore, when she suffered a season-ending knee injury during an intrasquad scrimmage.

The end result was a 12-16 finish to a season that started with tons of promise, but ended with a rash of knee injuries.

Ward admitted last season was a challenge for her, having to watch her teammates struggle at times. But she eventually adjusted to help her team in a different way.

“That was the worst time of my life when I couldn’t play,” Ward said. “It took me awhile to adjust. I was devastated.

“But later I was able to help my teammates even though I couldn’t play. You can see things and help your teammates, even if you’re on the bench.”

Ward made her presence known quickly on the floor this season, scoring 20 points in Heritage’s win over defending Class 4A state runner-up Farmington in a benefit game. She also scored 20 in Tuesday’s 62-37 win over Springdale High, which matched the Lady War Eagles’ two conference wins all of last season.

Ward can score in many different ways, which makes her a dangerous opponent, Ramey said.

“All of her points didn’t come from us running sets for her Tuesday,” Ramey said. “She’ll find the ball, rebound the ball and get junk points. The way she gets other people opportunities just makes her a tremendous impact player for us.”

Ramey admitted he was reminded just how much Ward does for the team when she returned to practice after being out for several months.

“We played 28 games without her last year, and you don’t realize how much she gave you,” Ramey said. “When she tore the (anterior cruciate ligament), we knew she wasn’t going to be with us and we had a week before the first game. We had to re-define roles and find a new plan.

“Really, she’s been fantastic for us. The scary thing is she’s still not playing at 100 percent. As good as she’s been, she’s still had some issues. But unless foul trouble takes her off the floor, we can’t afford to take her out.”

One change in Ward this season is she’s become a more vocal leader, Ramey said.

“She’s always been defined by her play and effort, but now she will voice her opinion,” Ramey said.

In addition, opponents have yet to play her one-on-one defensively this season, Ramey said. Instead, teams have opted for a zone defense or double-teams.

That helps take some pressure off the Heritage guards, particularly Ward’s twin sister, Brittany, who plays the point.

“Defenses can’t extend that pressure and all our guards benefit,” Ramey said. “But the big thing for us is her rebounding ability since we don’t have much size. We’ve had her two out of three years, and we’re just night and day different when she’s on the floor.”

Teammate Ellen Lundy said even practice is different with Ward around this season.

“She brings a whole new level of energy and competitiveness to practice every day,” Lundy said. “There’s no doubt she brings a huge contribution to this team.”

Heritage is off to the best start in school history, matching last year’s win total with 12 7A/6A-West Conference games left.

The Lady War Eagles host Bentonville tonight with the early league lead on the line at War Eagle Arena. They share the lead with 2-0 league records.

“We’re really close as a team, and it shows when we play,” Ward said. “We share the ball, and we’re very unselfish. We know we can count on each other.”

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