2008 Woodie Awards
Barton overcomes knee injury to lead 'Dogs
Pamela Stringer
Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: Sports
Senior guard Ashton Barton returned to the court this season as both a role model and the 12th person in UNC-Asheville women's basketball history to be inducted into the 1,000-point club.
"It was a great honor," Barton said. "It was even better being able to accomplish it with my teammates. They are a special group, and they made it all the more sweeter."
Barton has racked up a total 1,016 career points.
"Getting her 1,000th point is a huge milestone in any player's career," said Head Coach Betsy Blose. "Hopefully, she's going to continue getting those points."
Despite a string of injuries this year, Barton said she and her team hope for a successful end to their season.
"We have great chemistry," Blose said. "We're going to play hard and play as a team. Those things are never going to go away."
Barton helped her team take the Big South Conference title last season, scoring double figures in 17 games despite an injury late in the season.
Barton suffered from ligament and cartilage damage to her right knee, which put her on the bench the last six games of the season, including the NCAA tournament.
"It was tough for her watching her team play without her," Blose said. "But, because of that experience, she grew up, and it made her who she is now. She was the No. 1 cheerleader."
As one of two seniors and only four upperclassmen on this year's team, Barton has taken a position as a role model for her younger teammates, according to Blose.
"We've challenged Ashton to be a leader on and off the court," Blose said. "I think she's embraced that role of taking these young players under her wing off the court. I'm really proud of the fact that she's really stepping up to that role. It was something she had to learn that didn't always come natural to her, but when she embraces it she becomes a better player."
The history major said she plans to pursue a career in elementary education and coach girl's basketball.
"It was a great honor," Barton said. "It was even better being able to accomplish it with my teammates. They are a special group, and they made it all the more sweeter."
Barton has racked up a total 1,016 career points.
"Getting her 1,000th point is a huge milestone in any player's career," said Head Coach Betsy Blose. "Hopefully, she's going to continue getting those points."
Despite a string of injuries this year, Barton said she and her team hope for a successful end to their season.
"We have great chemistry," Blose said. "We're going to play hard and play as a team. Those things are never going to go away."
Barton helped her team take the Big South Conference title last season, scoring double figures in 17 games despite an injury late in the season.
Barton suffered from ligament and cartilage damage to her right knee, which put her on the bench the last six games of the season, including the NCAA tournament.
"It was tough for her watching her team play without her," Blose said. "But, because of that experience, she grew up, and it made her who she is now. She was the No. 1 cheerleader."
As one of two seniors and only four upperclassmen on this year's team, Barton has taken a position as a role model for her younger teammates, according to Blose.
"We've challenged Ashton to be a leader on and off the court," Blose said. "I think she's embraced that role of taking these young players under her wing off the court. I'm really proud of the fact that she's really stepping up to that role. It was something she had to learn that didn't always come natural to her, but when she embraces it she becomes a better player."
The history major said she plans to pursue a career in elementary education and coach girl's basketball.
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