Affton's Ford Becoming Elite Basketball Player

Excelling at basketball is certainly nothing new for Affton junior Hali Ford.

“When I was in fifth grade, I had been pulled up to play on an eighth-grade Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team because the coaches felt my basketball skills exceeded the fifth-grade level,” said Ford.

This is just one of the many memories Ford has from her ongoing and very successful career in basketball. Ford has loved the game since she picked up a basketball in the third grade.

“I watched my older brother as I grew up, and I saw how much my dad loved helping him, so I asked him to help me one day,” Ford said.

The intensity and aggressiveness of the game is what has driven Ford to be one of the top players in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Currently, Ford is second overall in the area at 5.5 blocks per game. Additionally, she is averaging 4.2 steals per game and is one of only seven area girls with over 100 steals this season.

Ford, who can play both guard and forward, also is averaging a team-leading 14.6 points and second-best 7.4 rebounds per game. The Cougars are 9-15 this season, including a 1-4 mark in the Suburban East Conference as of Feb. 18.

Her mother, Jeannie Ford, feels like it is a blessing for her kids to be able to continue to play in off-season programs such as AAU and the Catholic Youth Council (CYC). She said her daughter's path hasn’t been an easy one.

“She’s encountered a lot of hardships, and she plays above her level, which can be frustrating for her at times because her staff isn’t always on the same level,” said Jeannie Ford.

Ford was handed a big leadership role at a young age, but according to Cougars head coach Roy Monti, she has taken it on with a good attitude.

“Hali rises to the occasion every night," Monti said. "She’s rarely guarded by one person and has to work hard to get open.”

As phenomenal as Ford is at basketball, she has a second love. Ford also participates on the Affton track and field team, running in various events and participating in the triple jump. In 2010, Ford took fifth place in the triple jump at the state meet.

“One of my goals is to win state in triple jump,” Ford said.

The Great Southwest Classic is an elite annual track meet that Ford was invited to last year, but she was hindered by a pulled hamstring. She is hoping for another opportunity this spring.

There is no doubt that Ford is driven. Besides hoping to win state in triple jump, Ford also has her sights set on winning districts in basketball before she graduates and eventually, playing in the Women's National Basketball Association.

“Her skill level is second to none," Monti said. "She needs to work on shooting, but every other facet of the game is there. She’s as good as anybody and is able to play at as high of a level as she wants.”

Ford has taken an interest in the University of Connecticut, but says she would just love to play at a big university. Before reaching the colligate level, Ford expects to improve her shooting skills and maintaining her composure after a mistake.

Teammate junior Tyonna Williams believes Ford is a genuinely great player that always thinks about her team.

“She’s a good leader and takes time to give individual help to each player in practices,” Williams said.