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Ashley White doesn’t pay much attention to individual accolades.
When the Neumann-Goretti senior point guard found out earlier this season that she was closing in on 1,000- career points, she said it came as quite a surprise.
But the 18-year-old still didn’t bother counting.
"I really don’t think about it," said White, heading into last Friday night’s contest against Lansdale Catholic. "I just let it come to me."
She finished with 20, falling eight shy of the mark. But the athlete has maintained a calm demeanor through the whole process.
"If I don’t get it, there are more games to come," White said.
Sure enough, four nights later, White tallied 20 points in a 57-42 loss to Archbishop Wood and officially joined the elite club. She is the fifth player under coach Chip Reitano to reach the mark
White is also on pace to become the Saints all-time assist leader. As of Wednesday night, she had 328, nine shy of the record.
Call it the culmination of a standout high school career, which included playing in the Catholic League championship game freshman year. The seniors from that squad provided the leadership and guidance of what it takes to be a Catholic League standout.
"I learned to never give up," she said. "They pushed me in a lot of the practices which made me better."
Reitano described White as the team’s "catalyst on defense" and the "spark plug on offense."
"We’ve had so many good players, but she just makes our team go," Reitano said of White. "She is our vocal leader on this team."
The winning attitude will be key if the Saints are going to have any luck in next week’s Catholic League playoffs, with the date and opponent to be determined. Neumann-Goretti is 9-10 overall and 6-6 in league play. Twelve of the 15 squads will qualify.
"The thing about the playoffs is we just have to go in with heart," White said. "No matter who we play, we just have to have heart."
This star’s dribbling days are far from finished as White is looking at the possibilities of playing Division I basketball at either Monmouth or Delaware State University. The prospect said the New Jersey institution is leading the race.
"I really like Monmouth," she said. "I think that’s where I am headed. I just have to get some thing situated and I will decide after the season.
"I really like the campus and they have really cool coaches."
White is awaiting word on her SAT scores.
Reitano noted Monmouth is a good fit for his All-Catholic guard.
"They need a point guard," he said. "[Monmouth] coach Stephanie Gaitley would utilize [White] and her talents."
When she graduates from 10th and Moore streets this spring, the athlete will be leaving with some great high school memories. As far as the best, well that’s an easy one.
"It’ll be tonight when I score my 1,000th point," White said with a smile.
