Interview and text by Ben Kennedy
One thousand points. The most valued individual benchmark of a high school basketball player. Senior captain Ashley Keleher of the Mashpee girl’s basketball team just recently joined the elite club, as she joins Mashpee alumni Devaun Ford and Joey Lopes as the only people who have reached this impressive milestone here at MMHS.
Keleher, a five year member of the team, broke into four-digit points on January 28th in a loss to Middleboro, continues to score for the Falcons as they try to make a late push for playoff birth. We sat down with her and asked a few questions about her milestone and her journey to get where she is today.
The Falconer: What was your first thought when you saw the ball swish through the net?
AK: I was fouled while taking a 3-point shot, and knowing that I was only two points away from 1,000, and I rarely miss my foul shots, I knew I was going to score it when I stepped up to the line. I made my first shot, then I missed the second shot, but I like to say I missed that second shot on purpose. When I made my third foul shot, I was overcome with joy and relief that I finally reached the milestone after five long years.
One thousand points. The most valued individual benchmark of a high school basketball player. Senior captain Ashley Keleher of the Mashpee girl’s basketball team just recently joined the elite club, as she joins Mashpee alumni Devaun Ford and Joey Lopes as the only people who have reached this impressive milestone here at MMHS.
Keleher, a five year member of the team, broke into four-digit points on January 28th in a loss to Middleboro, continues to score for the Falcons as they try to make a late push for playoff birth. We sat down with her and asked a few questions about her milestone and her journey to get where she is today.
The Falconer: What was your first thought when you saw the ball swish through the net?
AK: I was fouled while taking a 3-point shot, and knowing that I was only two points away from 1,000, and I rarely miss my foul shots, I knew I was going to score it when I stepped up to the line. I made my first shot, then I missed the second shot, but I like to say I missed that second shot on purpose. When I made my third foul shot, I was overcome with joy and relief that I finally reached the milestone after five long years.
The Falconer: If you could go back and replay one game from your career, which would you go back to?
AK: It would have to be our second round tournament game last basketball season on February 28th, 2019 against our rival Cohasset. We ended up losing 46-45 with a Cohasset basket made with six seconds left in the game. I’ve never seen so many Mashpee fans at a basketball game, boys or girls, in all of my years coming to MHS, and I can’t even put into words how awesome the environment was.
Tensions were high from the start of the game, with many arguments, tripping, basketballs kicked at players during the game, and even a technical foul given to Cohasset. All of my teammates played their hearts out despite the loss, and there’s no doubt in my mind that would be the game I would revisit if I had the chance.
The Falconer: Being a three sport athlete is no easy feat. How do you balance your time between sports, your education, and your personal life?
AK: For as long as I can remember, sports have been my entire life. Both of my parents were exceptional athletes, my mom playing college basketball and my dad playing soccer in college, so it was only natural for me to fall in love with sports. And with that comes a very strong work ethic. I push myself everyday to be the best version of myself on the field, court, and track, and I believe that also translates to the classroom which is why I’m as successful as I am.
When it comes to my personal life, it’s tough. It’s a little bit easier to hang out with friends & have some down time during soccer season because we didn’t have weekend practices, but once basketball and track come around, it’s nearly impossible to have a personal life because we have weekend practices and I have meets on the weekends for track.
With all that being said, I honestly wouldn’t change anything about it because I’ve had the opportunity to play with amazing athletes and create so many priceless memories over the years.
The Falconer: What does it mean to you to be the first female athlete at Mashpee High School to achieve this milestone?
AK: To be the first female athlete at Mashpee High School to score 1,000 points, and only the third person at Mashpee to score it means everything to me. Since I first made the varsity team in 8th grade, I’ve dedicated pretty much all of my time from November to March to nothing but basketball so I’m so happy that all of my hard work and dedication has finally paid off.
The Falconer: If you could give one piece of advice to anybody trying to reach the thousand point milestone, what advice would that be?
AK: It doesn’t come easily. You have to be prepared to make sacrifices. You don’t have a lot of off time, and the physicality of the game can take a toll on your body, but if you’re truly dedicated to the sport, you can absolutely do it!
Ashley, also known as “Cashley” amongst the fans, has continued to put on a clinic throughout the season, putting up about 12 points a game on average. She remains an integral part of the girl’s basketball team as they push for yet another playoff berth.
AK: It would have to be our second round tournament game last basketball season on February 28th, 2019 against our rival Cohasset. We ended up losing 46-45 with a Cohasset basket made with six seconds left in the game. I’ve never seen so many Mashpee fans at a basketball game, boys or girls, in all of my years coming to MHS, and I can’t even put into words how awesome the environment was.
Tensions were high from the start of the game, with many arguments, tripping, basketballs kicked at players during the game, and even a technical foul given to Cohasset. All of my teammates played their hearts out despite the loss, and there’s no doubt in my mind that would be the game I would revisit if I had the chance.
The Falconer: Being a three sport athlete is no easy feat. How do you balance your time between sports, your education, and your personal life?
AK: For as long as I can remember, sports have been my entire life. Both of my parents were exceptional athletes, my mom playing college basketball and my dad playing soccer in college, so it was only natural for me to fall in love with sports. And with that comes a very strong work ethic. I push myself everyday to be the best version of myself on the field, court, and track, and I believe that also translates to the classroom which is why I’m as successful as I am.
When it comes to my personal life, it’s tough. It’s a little bit easier to hang out with friends & have some down time during soccer season because we didn’t have weekend practices, but once basketball and track come around, it’s nearly impossible to have a personal life because we have weekend practices and I have meets on the weekends for track.
With all that being said, I honestly wouldn’t change anything about it because I’ve had the opportunity to play with amazing athletes and create so many priceless memories over the years.
The Falconer: What does it mean to you to be the first female athlete at Mashpee High School to achieve this milestone?
AK: To be the first female athlete at Mashpee High School to score 1,000 points, and only the third person at Mashpee to score it means everything to me. Since I first made the varsity team in 8th grade, I’ve dedicated pretty much all of my time from November to March to nothing but basketball so I’m so happy that all of my hard work and dedication has finally paid off.
The Falconer: If you could give one piece of advice to anybody trying to reach the thousand point milestone, what advice would that be?
AK: It doesn’t come easily. You have to be prepared to make sacrifices. You don’t have a lot of off time, and the physicality of the game can take a toll on your body, but if you’re truly dedicated to the sport, you can absolutely do it!
Ashley, also known as “Cashley” amongst the fans, has continued to put on a clinic throughout the season, putting up about 12 points a game on average. She remains an integral part of the girl’s basketball team as they push for yet another playoff berth.