Ashton Is Developing Options

Ron Bailey, Publisher

April 3, 2007 - In 2005-2006, Marcus Ashton found his senior season at Gwynn Park High School (Clinton, MD) derailed, due to academic carelessness. The school still made the playoffs, but both his and the team’s goals of a Maryland state title never came to fruition.

“I shouldn’t have put myself in that situation” noted Ashton, at the recent DC Metro Showcase – the Washington area’s inaugural AAU/travel team 2007 competition – where he would make an all-star team.

His 2006-2007 school year was spent at North Carolina’s Milestone Prep, an experience Marcus admitted “I didn’t like”, but academically, provided increased “one on one” attention, assisting him in earning a 2.7 GPA.

Next year, he plans to enroll at Mt. Zion Academy or Charis Prep, both North Carolina-based prep schools, in an attempt to improve in the classroom and hoops.

On the court, Ashton continued to excel last season, sharing averages of “27 points and 5 rebounds” a game, as a 6”2”+, 175lb shooting guard. According to him “Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Mississippi State”, in addition to “Morehead State, Duquesne, Long Island University, and Jacksonville” have all shown various levels of interest, with Morehead State and Long Island University having tendered scholarship offers.

Ashton’s AAU/travel team coach, Ronnie Smith of the Maryland Hurricanes, believes the young man holds the key to his recruitment. “Marcus can go as far as he wants to go” said Smith, who continued by saying Ashton must “focus on doing the little things in the game” including working on ball handling and leadership.

To help effectuate this, Smith plans on deploying Ashton as a “true combo guard” this spring/summer, something Marcus embraces. In doing so, Ashton will be able to further develop his handle and passing skills, augmenting the impressive ability to score via the jump shot he has consistently demonstrated.

"Marcus' defense is solid" said Ashton's AAU/travel team coach, Ronnie Smith.

“Right now I’m more of a combo guard, but I want to diversify my game to the point (guard)” stated Ashton, when asked to define his skill development plan. “I want to be a two (shooting guard), that can really play two positions”.

Smith believes Marcus can achieve those goals, with hard work. “I think he can eventually play a one (point guard), two (shooting guard), or three (small forward)” in college opined the Hurricane’s coach, with the small forward being an option in a three guard lineup.

Be sure to follow Ashton’s recruitment, on i95Ballerz.com. He has options, and is looking to develop more.