I caught up with Stephenson High School hoop star Ashlie Billingslea (a 5’-7” junior guard) after a tough AAU practice with the “Lady 76er’s” before they head off to a tournament in Ohio. Having watched Ashlie play since her days at Shamrock Middle School where she led her team to the Dekalb County Middle School Title this was a great opportunity for me to “Keep it Real - On Da Bricks” with the talented upcoming junior.

L.A.:    “Who have been some of the most influential people in your life”?

Ashlie: “I would have to say my moms and my AAU basketball coaches”

L.A.:   “Ashlie, I’ve seen you play for some time now and watched your game improve, what do you think you need to work on this summer and next season to take your game to the next level?”

Ashlie:  “Having come off of a slight leg injury I know I need to get my legs stronger so I have been working on that and I keep working on my jumper, which is pretty sweet now. I also need to take more of a leadership role on and off the court.

L.A.:   “You entered high school with such great expectations after having such a great middle school career; how tough has it been for you in high school to have to come off of the bench your first 2 years?”

Ashlie:  “It has been a little tough but coming in the first couple of years I did not expect to start because I knew I was going to have to adjust to the high school game.”

L.A.:  “What type of personal and or team goals have you set heading into the summer AAU Hoop season?”

Ashlie: “Well my team goals are for us (“Lady 76er’s”) to win all the games we can; we have a lot of talent on our team and should be winning more games than we have been. Again personally I want to continue to improve on my jumper.

L.A.: “Having won the State Championship against Collins Hill as a freshman, how hard was it loosing to them in the finals last year”

Ashlie:  “It was tough because all year we had kind of been playing around and not being very discipline. We played selfish most of the time; not really playing team ball. But look for all of that to change next season. With the players we having coming back I really believe that we are going to be right back in the state championship game.”

L.A.:  “Who has been one of the toughest players you have had to guard?”

Ashlie:  “Well I can’t really say that there has been any one player that has been tough for me to guard, but if I had to say one it would be Shantell Black from Collins Hill.”

L.A.:  “I’m going to throw out some word comparisons and I want you to choose one”

L.A.:   “Nike or Reebok?”

Ashlie: “Nike”

L.A.:  “Sean John or Roca-Wear?”

Ashlie: “Roca-Wear”

L.A:  “What’s your favorite food?”

Ashlie: “Laughing, I like everything…ok Chinese food”

L.A.:  “Who’s your favorite player?”

Ashlie: “When I was younger it was Allen Iverson but as I got older I saw he was way out there; now it’s “The Kid”, Jason Kidd he’s my favorite.

L.A.:  “Without tipping your hand give me the names of some colleges that you would like to play for?”

Ashlie: “Florida, LSU, North Carolina and Duke. I will be attending the Florida, UNC and LSU camps this summer.”

L.A.: “What was the last CD you brought and why?”

Ashlie:  “Destiny’s Child (Destiny Fulfilled) … I just like the group, they have it together.”

L.A.: “Well Ashlie, thanks for taking the time out after a tough practice for Street Talk - “Keeping it Real”, have a great summer!”

Ashlie: “Thanks”

If you want to “Keep it Real" on Street Talk …holla at me

This is Larry “L.A.” Williams …PEACE!