KILGORE'S ASHIA KELLY HEADED TO CENTRAL FLORIDA

Photos by Mitch Lucas

It was a joyous occasion Friday night at New Birth Fellowship Church, as Kilgore High School senior basketball standout Ashia Kelly signed a letter of intent to continue her education and play basketball at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. Kelly (above, seated, third from right) was joined by a church-full of people. She listened as her mom addressed the crowd (above) then signed the letter of intent, as her parents, Sheila and Louis Kelly, and KHS head coach Davia Garrett (center, standing) looked on. Kelly was a cornerstone of the KHS program for four years, playing quite a bit as a freshman. She overcame injury in her junior season and helped Kilgore back to the playoffs this season, after they became the co-District 12-4A champions. Kelly was named the district's offensive player of the year. In district play, she had 170 points (12.1 per game), 122 rebounds (8.7 per game), 15 blocks (1.1 per game), 34 steals (2.4 per game), and 18 assists (1.3 assists per game). Overall, she scored 291 points (11.6 per game), 178 rebounds, (7.4 per game), 36 blocks (1.5 per game), 65 steals (2.7 per game), and 23 assists. Congratulations, Ashia!