- Ashlyn Young signed to play college basketball at Daytona State College after earning All Area small school first team honors.
- Young helped lead Williston to its first state title despite missing a month due to injury and finished third for Florida Dairy Farmers Rural Player of the Year.
Last week was a big one for Williston’s Ashlyn Young.
On Monday, she was a Bosshardt Realty All Area small school first team selection. Two days later, she made her decision to play college basketball at Daytona State College official by signing with the Falcons.
“It means a lot being able to play at the next level because everyone doesn’t get a chance,” said Young, who said the environment and the people in the program are what attracted her to DSC. “I’m just super blessed to have this opportunity. They welcomed me with open arms.”
Despite missing a month of the regular season due to injury, she came back in the postseason and helped lead the Lady Red Devils to their first state title in program history.
“It means a lot to me to see Ashlyn go to the next level because of all of the work she has put in during her 6-year career,” said Williston girls basketball coach Willie Powers. “I feel in college with the strength and conditioning programs, Ashlyn will get bigger and stronger and it will help her game.”
Young finished third in voting for the Florida Dairy Farmers Rural Player of the Year after leading Williston with 13 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 3.8 steals per game.
“Ashlyn was our leader that helped her younger teammates get prepared for the state championship run,” Powers said. “When she was out, she was like a coach to my younger guards and it showed in the championship game. Ashlyn gave up stats for wins, and it paid off.”
Two years ago, Young and Powers both left P.K. Yonge to start something special at Williston.
Powers left PKY after 21 seasons, two FHSAA state titles and 19 district championships.
A week later, he was introduced as the new head coach at Williston.
Young joined him for her final two seasons.
“Well, first he decided to join me at Williston,” Young said.
The two have a special connection that dates back to the age of 2, when Young’s sister, Kiara Mallory, played on Powers’ 2010 state championship team.
“Coach Powers and I have a tight bond,” Young said. “He’s like a grandfather to me. He’s been there since before I could walk and I have so much love for him. He taught me a lot on and off the court.”
Earlier this month, Young finished her high school career by scoring 16 points in The Prep Zone All-Star Showcase as the North defeated the South, 108-44, at Trenton High School on April 4.
It was an opportunity to put the Williston jersey on one last time.
“It was a great life-changing experience,” Young said. “I went out with a bang, and I went down in history.”