AHS girls’ basketball reboot showing progress

ASHEBORO — In the last four seasons at Asheboro High School, basketball has provided an incredible amount of excitement, a number of very talented players, lofty goals and expectations and thrilling action on the court. 

On the boys side. 

Now the girls want some of that support and recognition and first-year coach Wes Luther and a group of girls willing to put in the sacrifice and the work needed to achieve those goals are taking steps to make sure the girls program mirrors that of the boys program. 

“We’re taking basketball more seriously,” Luther said last Friday night after the Blue Comets recorded a 64-30 win over Trinity to improve to 4-3. “We’re taking an approach in practice to get better individually and as a team. 

“We have to get better as individuals. We do position groups every day to get better individually. We’re attacking each day. We’re working hard.” 

Not that teams in the past four years didn’t work hard. The results just didn’t show up on the floor like it has so far this season. 

After reaching the state 3-A championship in 2021 — yes, the state championship game in 2021 — the Blue Comets were 4-20 in 2021-22, 4-21 in 2022-23, 6-19 in 2023-24 and 5-18 last season. That’s 19 wins in four seasons, including a 7-34 record in conference play.

“We had to make girls basketball important,” Luther said. “We did some lockerroom updates, got new gear, got new stuff and made it a priority and got some excitement going. Setting a standard. 

“They were kind of okay with being okay. That’s not how we are going to approach things anymore. We’re here to be a good basketball team and develop young ladies and to make them better people, better individuals, better students, the whole nine. And that approach has paid off so far.” 

Those who have been a part of the program said they noticed the changes immediately. 

“With Luther, he pushes us to our full potential,” said junior Adalynn Scherer, who poured in 20 points in last Friday night’s win over the Bulldogs. “And even though he’s hard on us, he wants us to play to our full potential and play the best we can. Even if we’re playing good, he’s going to show us we’re still making mistakes and have room to get even better.” 

Junior MacKenzie Cass, who showed some strong glimpses on the floor last year, has seen her role increase significantly. She scored 15 points Friday, including nine in the first quarter when the Blue Comets seized control. 

“Anything that’s outside of practice or games, we keep off the court and work as a team,” she said. “We don’t argue constantly like we did last year. He keeps us straight. We were very negative last year. It was always, ‘We’re going to get cooked.’ This year, having the confidence, we’re presenting ourselves really well. We do have hard practices, but that has helped us become a team.” 

One of the keys this year will be the play of sophomore Maliya Brady, who spent most of the season with the jayvee team last year. She gives the Blue Comets an inside presence and her potential is unlimited. 

“The motivation and how hard he pushes us,” Brady said of the difference between last year and this year. “Practices are definitely harder. Team work and the connection of the team.” 

The Blue Comets traveled to Thomasville Tuesday night, playing a team they beat 53-18 on Nov. 25. They then host Eastern Randolph Wednesday. 

“It’s been a culture shock,” Luther said. “Just the standard that was going on previously and it was no one’s fault. You come to practice not wearing practice gear. You’re not doing these things, you’re not doing those things.

“ It was a culture shock at first. They bought into what we’re teaching. And I am blessed because I have two assistant coaches (Calvin Brown and Kelly Smith) who have been head coaches in multiple sports. Anything I am missing, they are picking up. It’s a constant group effort to get better.”

A group effort that is apparently working very well.