Whiz Kid: Ashley Dubois

As a youngster growing up, basketball wasn’t even on the radar of Woonsocket’s Ashley Dubois. Now some six years after finding out about the sport, Dubois has joined two elite groups of young women.

On February 9, a minute and a half into a game at North Providence, the senior captain knocked down a free-throw accounting for her 1,000 point of her high school career. Earlier this month, she found out that she was nominated to the McDonald’s All American High School Girls Basketball Team recognizing her as on the top standouts in the nation.

To get where she is today Dubois had to not only learn about a sport she basically knew nothing about, but has had to overcome personal issues in her life.

“I was in the sixth grade when this lady came up to me and told me about this Saturday basketball league during the winter,” Dubois said. “She thought I’d do well as I was a little taller than the other kids.  I knew nothing about basketball at that point, I was a football fan, but I still decided to give it a shot.”

Things obviously worked out for the best as Dubois has started on Woonsocket’s varsity team under the guidance of Coach George Coderre since her freshman year.  

“Ashley’s a great kid who has worked hard, nothing has come easy for her,” Coach Coderre said. “She’s overcome a lot of personal obstacles to get where she is today.”

According to Dubois, it was the Woonsocket Coach who not only helped her on the court but has lent a guiding hand off the court.

“I learned a lot playing basketball on the streets, but it was coach who taught me a lot of the basic skills. He’s helped me tremendously,” the senior said. “I was a decent student, but I had trouble focusing. Since I moved in with the coach I’ve been in a better spot and that has allowed me to focus and get to where I am today.

The McDonald’s nomination was a surprise, but becoming the school’s fourth female basketball star to reach the 1,000 point plateau was something she knew was coming.  Dubois has averaged 15.6 points per game this year for the Villa Novans and when she scored 17 against East Providence, leaving her just 3 point she of the mark she knew it was inevitable in the team’s next game.

“As it got closer I began to get very nervous, but once the game started things settled down and I just went out and played my game,” Dubois said. “I got the first two points quickly to open up the game and then was fouled. I hit the first shot to hit 1,000. They stopped the game and my friends and family congratulated me. I then missed my second shot – I think I was too excited at that point.”

Dubois, a very happy and upbeat individual, will be the first member of her family to attend college, but at this point she hasn’t even paid any attention to the schools who are courting her.

“Everyone’s going through the coach, I really don’t know who is interested in me,” she said. “I just want to focus on the rest of the season and will worry about where I’m going to go to college after the season is through.”

The only thing Dubois does know is that she wants to major in Criminal Justice wherever she goes.