Stevenson’s Ashley Richardson fears no situation on the basketball court.
End of the game? Put the ball in her hands.
“Having the game on the line and trying to win the game for the team,” Richardson said. “It’s one of my favorite moments.”
A 5-7 sophomore point guard, Richardson directs the Patriots’ offense. Stevenson is a deep and talented group that started the season 12-0 before a 68-60 overtime loss to Evanston on Saturday in the Dundee-Crown Charger Classic quarterfinals. Impact freshmen Kiana Cencula, Skylar Blackstock and Klaire Steffens are blending well with four-year varsity veterans Sophia Way and Taylor Buford.
“Practices are really good. We all work hard and it makes everyone better,” Richardson said.
It’s Richardson who makes all the pieces work cohesively.
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For many freshmen, avoiding mistakes is the highest priority. As a freshman starter in 2013-14, Richardson performed capably in Stevenson coach Tom Dineen’s motion offense. A solid game manager who became a perimeter shooting threat, Richardson was an all-North Suburban Conference player.
“[Coach] Dineen expects a lot out of point guards,” Way said. “Being a freshman on varsity, she was dipping her feet in the water.”
This season, Stevenson needed Richardson to do more than dip her feet in the water. She’d have to dive in. She’s done it with an improved offensive game.
Richardson is right-handed but plays basketball like an ambidextrous person. She’s as effective with her left hand as her natural right.
“When I was young, I emphasized my left hand,” Richardson said. “So it’s pretty much the same [as my right].”
In the Charger Classic loss to Evanston, Richardson performed her point guard duties capably. But often, she would not look to feed Buford in the post or pass to Way for a three-point attempt.
Instead, she aggressively dribbled to her left toward the basket. She used her right arm to hold off her defender. The Wildkits could not get in front of Richardson and fouled her repeatedly. She went to the free throw line 14 times and made 12. Her ability to know when to invade the paint and when to stay back and facilitate is one of the main reasons Stevenson has been successful.
“I was a little intimidated as a freshman,” Richardson said. “My decision making and confidence has improved.”
“From freshman to sophomore, she’s matured a lot,” Way added. “She’s grown.”
Because Richardson is so often the aggressor, she is the one on the free throw line late in games. Against Evanston, she made five of her foul shots in overtime and she finished with 22 points.
With Richardson running the show, there’s no reason to believe Stevenson won’t go on another long winning streak.
“There’s not enough good things I can say about her,” Dineen said. “She’s just awesome. I’m lucky she’s on our team.”