Ailshie named women’s basketball assistant at JC

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June 22, 2011

Jay Neal Jacksonville Daily Progress The Jacksonville Daily Progress Wed Jun 22, 2011, 07:30 PM CDT

JACKSONVILLE — Who better to fill the spot as assistant women’s basketball coach at Jacksonville College than someone who knows what it is like to play junior college basketball while at the time aspiring to one day attain a hoops scholarship at a four-year institution and then reaching that goal as a player?

That someone is Leasa Ailshie.

Ailshie was recently hired to fill the spot as Lady Jaguar assistant, a slot that became available earlier this summer when former assistant coach Amber Taylor was promoted to head women’s basketball coach at Eastern Oklahoma State College (NJCAA, Region II).

Ailshie brings an experienced-packed resume with her, dating all the way back to her prep playing days as a Lady Zebra at Claremore (Okla.) High School.

While at Claremore, Ailshie led her team to three Class 5A state championships and was a two-time (2004, 2005) All-State Tournament choice.

From Claremore, she then spent two years at Conners State (Okla.) College (NJCAA, Region II) where she averaged nearly 9 points a game and led her squad in three point baskets (38).

Ailshie finished up her college playing days as a member of the Sam Houston State University (NCAA, Division I) Bearkats women’s basketball team.

Ailshie recently completed her master’s degree after serving as a graduate assistant at SHSU.

JC head women’s basketball coach Lynn Nabi feels the Lady Jags are getting the complete package in Ailshie.

“Leasa brings (NCAA) Division I playing experience to our program and I feel she will be someone our young ladies will be able to look up to and learn from,” Nabi said. “Everyone says she (Ailshie) is a hard worker and I feel like we are very fortunate to be getting someone of her caliber here at Jacksonville College.”

Ailshie says she has known for some time now that she wants to be a head coach at the college level one day and that she is happy to be getting an opportunity to get her career started in Jacksonville.

“I’ve always wanted to be a coach and this is a good opportunity and I am excited about coming to Jacksonville College,” she said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

Ailshie stated that she is looking forward to coaching against some of the top women’s basketball players that call Region XIV home.

“Yes. I am excited about the talent level in our conference,” she said. “It’s exciting to think about coaching some of the best junior college kids that are out there.”

Ailshie, a former guard, added that she is eager to work with the guards in particular and that she feels her age will also be an asset to the program.

“By being a younger coach, it’s exciting for me to be able to get out on the court with the girls, especially the guards, and work on things like proper ball handling and shooting techniques,” Ailshie said.

She wrapped up by saying that helping young women realize their goals and potential is one thing that attracts her to coaching.

“First, I know how important it is to be a good role model for the girls and I am not only looking forward to getting to Jacksonville and working and learning from Coach Nabi, but I am also ready to help the girls make that next step from junior college to the next level,”Ailshie said.

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Ailshie named women’s basketball assistant at JC

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