Kory Ashley:
"People need education to go as far as they want to go... "
By Marcinho Savant
17 year-old, 6' 3", KORY ASHLEY holds court.
Provided by Kory Ashley
Seventeen-year-old C.E. Byrd High School Senior Kory Ashley has a tremendous gift! The young man shoots “threes” as though he invented the shot. With his skills, and his six-foot-three-inch frame, he is already being scouted for college ball nationwide.
Born and raised in Shreveport, Kory learned about the game by watching his uncles in the gym shooting hoops. He was just four years old at the time, and had started playing for The Lakers, a local youth team. He has been playing ever since.
He says he just sat on the sidelines watching his uncles play back then, but he says he’s “... better than him now.” He’s not joking.
So many young people are afflicted by the challenges of bullying, teasing, and peer-pressure while participating in team sports. For Kory, he has had no such problems, whatsoever. With all the praise, and attention, Kory receives --- his Byrd Yellow Jackets basketball teammates could not be more fantastic. “They support me all the way! They’re like brothers to me, and they always push me to work harder, and to be a better player, and team member.” His humility and team spirit are as impressive as his abilities and focus.
Currently playing as Small Forward, a position Kory says he loves, “I get to shoot, and protect the goal. It’s like being a “big man” and a guard, at the same time.”
According to C. E. Byrd’s administrative head, in a phone call to the school, “My main interaction with Kory is in some form of basketball --- watching him play, or practice. What I most respect about his athletic drive is his dedication to improving every year. Like I tell my own kids, if somebody has that desire, my opinion is to ‘chase your dreams while you’re young,” said Byrd Principal Jerry Badgley.
Born and raised in Shreveport, Kory learned about the game by watching his uncles in the gym shooting hoops. He was just four years old at the time, and had started playing for The Lakers, a local youth team. He has been playing ever since.
He says he just sat on the sidelines watching his uncles play back then, but he says he’s “... better than him now.” He’s not joking.
So many young people are afflicted by the challenges of bullying, teasing, and peer-pressure while participating in team sports. For Kory, he has had no such problems, whatsoever. With all the praise, and attention, Kory receives --- his Byrd Yellow Jackets basketball teammates could not be more fantastic. “They support me all the way! They’re like brothers to me, and they always push me to work harder, and to be a better player, and team member.” His humility and team spirit are as impressive as his abilities and focus.
Currently playing as Small Forward, a position Kory says he loves, “I get to shoot, and protect the goal. It’s like being a “big man” and a guard, at the same time.”
According to C. E. Byrd’s administrative head, in a phone call to the school, “My main interaction with Kory is in some form of basketball --- watching him play, or practice. What I most respect about his athletic drive is his dedication to improving every year. Like I tell my own kids, if somebody has that desire, my opinion is to ‘chase your dreams while you’re young,” said Byrd Principal Jerry Badgley.
“It’s God's plan for me to always do my best, work harder, and push farther every time I step on the court.”
Byrd Principal, Jerry Badgley
Regarding goals, Kory really would love an opportunity to play for the NBA, to test himself, and to help his family. “I see it as, like, a great motivation to --- most of us don’t come from wealthy place or come from a struggle and have to work and earn everything you get. When I see people on TV, coming from where I came from, or the struggle or whatever, it inspires me, because it means I could do it too.
Anybody would want to earn that money, but I love the game, and my family aren’t the richest or the poorest--- but making it to the league will be great help to my family, and I will get them whatever they want”, he pledged.
Anybody would want to earn that money, but I love the game, and my family aren’t the richest or the poorest--- but making it to the league will be great help to my family, and I will get them whatever they want”, he pledged.
“Ultimately my dream is for him to do whatever he desires, as long as he keeps God first--- and takes responsibility and ownership for the decisions he makes in his life.”
- Kenisha Ashley, Kory's Mother
“I was raised by mom and grandmom--- always they were there for me.” Even when times were tough, they pooled strategies to “get me anything I asked for, or needed”
In the realm of generosity, Kory declared that “No matter how much money I get, I’m always going to stay true to my city." Kory’s talent for, and love of, basketball is firmly coupled with his desire to go to college to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He’s an “A/B, with some G’s, (representing “Good” or acceptable)” student, and will be quite proud to attend college on either an athletic or academic scholarship. The colleges on his short-list of “dream schools” are “Duke, Northwestern, LSU or Xavier.”
The humble, faithful, young man credits God for all his earthly blessings. “It’s God’s plan for me to always do my best, work harder, and push farther--- every time I step on the court.” He also recognizes that his mother Kenisha Ashley, and grandmother Murphy Ashley, have been supremely influential, and extremely helpful in his life. “I was raised by mom and grandmom--- always they were there for me.” Even when times were tough, they pooled strategies to “get me anything I asked for, or needed”, Kory said. “My Mom”, he added, “It was hard on my mom with no father in the picture, she always did whatever is best for me.”
While his father was absent from his life, Kory says, “I’ll be the best father, because I will make sure to take care of my son, or daughter. I didn’t have a father when I was growing up, but I will be there for my son--- 24/7--- whatever he needs, and push him to work harder to be a success in life and follow his dreams.”
The humble, faithful, young man credits God for all his earthly blessings. “It’s God’s plan for me to always do my best, work harder, and push farther--- every time I step on the court.” He also recognizes that his mother Kenisha Ashley, and grandmother Murphy Ashley, have been supremely influential, and extremely helpful in his life. “I was raised by mom and grandmom--- always they were there for me.” Even when times were tough, they pooled strategies to “get me anything I asked for, or needed”, Kory said. “My Mom”, he added, “It was hard on my mom with no father in the picture, she always did whatever is best for me.”
While his father was absent from his life, Kory says, “I’ll be the best father, because I will make sure to take care of my son, or daughter. I didn’t have a father when I was growing up, but I will be there for my son--- 24/7--- whatever he needs, and push him to work harder to be a success in life and follow his dreams.”
“Thank you for everything and for pushing me to become a better ball player, and man. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be the person, or ball player I’m becoming today.”
Kory on his father, coming to his games, “If he comes, then that’s fine... And I think he would be proud. But if he doesn’t, I’m going to have fun, care for Granny and Mom, keep working out, and keep up in school.”
He’s in no rush to find a girlfriend. “Yeah, I’m ready to date, but my goals are more important right now.” Kory is also grateful for the love and ever-present support of his step-father, Brandon Swift.
He also credits his aunt and cousin for being his super-fans. “My Aunt Sharon Lewis, and my cousin, Lakeisha Lewis are my biggest supporters, along with my mom and grandmother. They are at every game with a shirt or hat on, cheering in the stands!”
His mother’s watchful, nurturing, nature is always concerned about her young man, but she has very clear instructions for Kory, as he grows up. She fully supports his dream. “Ultimately my dream is for him to do whatever he desires, as long as he keeps God first--- and takes responsibility and ownership for the decisions he makes in his life,” she said.
To his family he was sure to say, “Thank you for everything and for pushing me to become a better ball player, and man. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be the person, or ball player I’m becoming today.”
This earnest young man is much like any other 17-year-old. He likes to hang out with friends, go to parties, and have “fun.”
Kory offers the following advice for aspiring young athletes, “Push yourself, no matter what. The only person that can stop you is you. Without you pushing and believing, there’s no confidence, and no killer-instinct to make the dream come true.”
To the world, “Stay tuned to Byrd basketball ... And expect big things,” he predicted.
Head Coach Rusty Johnson was unavailable for comment at press time.
If you know of an inspirational, daring, young person in Shreveport-Bossier, please let us know by contacting The Shreveport Sun editorial desk with your recommendation, and we will do our best to feature nominees in future editions. Contact us by calling (318) 631-6222.
He’s in no rush to find a girlfriend. “Yeah, I’m ready to date, but my goals are more important right now.” Kory is also grateful for the love and ever-present support of his step-father, Brandon Swift.
He also credits his aunt and cousin for being his super-fans. “My Aunt Sharon Lewis, and my cousin, Lakeisha Lewis are my biggest supporters, along with my mom and grandmother. They are at every game with a shirt or hat on, cheering in the stands!”
His mother’s watchful, nurturing, nature is always concerned about her young man, but she has very clear instructions for Kory, as he grows up. She fully supports his dream. “Ultimately my dream is for him to do whatever he desires, as long as he keeps God first--- and takes responsibility and ownership for the decisions he makes in his life,” she said.
To his family he was sure to say, “Thank you for everything and for pushing me to become a better ball player, and man. If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t be the person, or ball player I’m becoming today.”
This earnest young man is much like any other 17-year-old. He likes to hang out with friends, go to parties, and have “fun.”
Kory offers the following advice for aspiring young athletes, “Push yourself, no matter what. The only person that can stop you is you. Without you pushing and believing, there’s no confidence, and no killer-instinct to make the dream come true.”
To the world, “Stay tuned to Byrd basketball ... And expect big things,” he predicted.
Head Coach Rusty Johnson was unavailable for comment at press time.
If you know of an inspirational, daring, young person in Shreveport-Bossier, please let us know by contacting The Shreveport Sun editorial desk with your recommendation, and we will do our best to feature nominees in future editions. Contact us by calling (318) 631-6222.