Interview by Bob Iacopi
Photos by Don Anderson
Ashley Cimino surprised the country’s basketball analysts last July when
she decided to pull up her New England roots and travel cross-country to
play basketball for
Ci-MEEN-o.) When we sat down for this early interview, Ashley and her
family were still getting adjusted to life on the West Coast.
“My whole family came out with me last week--Mom, Dad and my
younger sister and brother. They’d never really seen the Stanford campus
before, and they wanted to get a feel for everything out here. We’re
definitely New Englanders. I was born in
entire life until this week.”
Ashley was a phenomenally
high achiever both athletically and
academically throughout high
school. As a senior she was ranked
in the top 100 basketball players in
the country by all the rating services,
and Hoopgurlz named her to its
National Honor Roll that includes
only the most elite student-athletes
in the nation. What memories stand
out most in her mind?
“Interestingly enough, I remember my freshman year because I
was a
point guard.“ What? “Yes, I was only six foot, one inch tall that first year, so
I played in the back court. I’m six foot three now, and once I got the extra
height, I was able to move inside. But I’m still comfortable on the perimeter,
or even bringing the ball up the floor.
“My sophomore year, we
went to the state finals, and then
we went again in my senior year.
We never won the championship,
but going as far as we did was
wonderful. It was tough not
winning it all as a senior, but I
really had a great time playing at
such a high level. I really liked
playing
at
we became known throughout the
state for our basketball team.
I just have a lot of wonderful
memories that will stay with me
forever.”
Ashley was Gatorade Player
of the Year in
Magazine All-American, and a
member of the East team for the
McDonalds
All-American Game in
15 minutes, scored two points, picked up a couple of rebounds and one
block.
“Also, I was of the 16 girls who were lucky enough to be
invited to the
helped me start to sharpen my game right away.”
But all that is history, and Ashley knows she’s not in
anymore. “I came out here for eight weeks of summer school and it was
sunny every single day. I couldn’t believe it.
“I took classes in Biology and
Sports Psychology, and of course,
worked out and played pick-up
basketball games almost every day.
I played some with Jayne (Appel) and
Jillian (Harmon), and Clare
Bodensteiner, Brooke Smith and
Kristen Newlin were here, too. I had
a chance to play in the San Francisco
Pro-Am and that was good
experience. I played pretty well up
there.”
Now after a late summer retreat to
stay, and when I talked to her, the team had already completed two days of
informal practices organized by the upper classmen. What are her first
impressions of her new team?
“I was surprised. These were tough practices, right
from the start. We
all have to be in really good shape to keep up the pace. I’m going to have to
be strong and be on top of my game all the time. I really think that is one of
the things that makes this Stanford team so great. We’re in good condition
and play hard, even now.”
So what’s your basic game?
“I can play with my back to the
basket, and I can also play out on
the wing.” Are you naturally
ambidextrous? “No, but I can go to
my left. When I’m down low, I like
the up and under move. I shoot that
a lot.”
I asked Ashley about her
favorite shot anywhere on the court,
even though I knew the answer
beforehand. “Definitely the three-pointer. I like to shoot from the outside.”
So going from high school star to untested freshman on a
nationally-ranked college team can’t be easy. How do you see yourself fitting
in?
“I know that I’m going to have to work very hard in order to
play for
this team as a freshman. All four of us know that. But the team is really
great about welcoming us and encouraging us to do well. That has to help
all of us improve our game and learn the system quickly. It’s a wonderful
atmosphere. I met everybody on my official visit last October, so we know
each other already.
Is there one area where you have to make some big
improvements? “My
strength, definitely. That’s just such a big difference between the high
school and the college game--the strength of the players. I’m lifting weights
twice a week, along with everyone else, and working on my overall
conditioning.
So the first time you come off
the bench in an exhibition, what do
you want to do--get a shot or
rebound, play some tough defense?
Ashley just laughed. “I want to do all
of those things, just as soon as I
can. Whatever the team needs at
that moment, that’s what I want to
add. At the start, I see myself
coming into the game as a 3 or a 4
(wing, or forward, depending
on your terminology).
“I think I’m a pretty good defensive player. Blocking
shots is one of my
favorite things to do. As one of the taller wing players, I hope to do a lot of
that. I also take pride in my rebounding. I work hard at blocking out and
getting into position”
What abut life after basketball? “You know, I’m just not
really sure yet.
I’m not really thinking much about it just now. I just want to play basketball,
and get into the school year. This fall, I’ll take some basic science classes
and take a language course. I can decide on my major sometime later.”
Bottom line: Ashley Cimino is
a bit of a dark horse in this year’s
freshman derby. Being the Maine
Gatorade Player of The Year is a high
honor, but we parochial
Californians know very little about
the competition she faced at
far away
an unknown quantity, and it will be
very interesting to see what kind of
skill set she unveils – and builds
upon - during this fall’s practices. Hopefully her success in high school will
transfer quickly to the college Division I level. If attitude means anything,
she is off to a great start as a Stanford student-athlete. Good luck, Ashley!