Coach Shields is the Lady Tiger’s basketball coach. Her background is rich, as she was a great player at Melrose High School. She then moved on the college ball at the local Southwest Community College. Shields had an incredible season there, becoming the first one and done out of community college, straight to the WNBA. After being drafted by the Houston Comets, the Lady Tiger’s coach moved on to the Detroit Shock, winning a WNBA championship and making the entire city proud. Coach Shields ended up taking her talents overseas for 13 years, winning 5 championships in several different areas.
Ashley Shields is in her third year coaching our Lady Tiger Basketball team, coming from the rival Houston Mustangs. She was an assistant coach in 2020. Coach received a phone call during the pandemic, asking if she wanted a head coaching job at our own Arlington High School. “Its my way of giving back to this great city.”
As a great leader herself, Coach Shields knows how to pick out the leaders on her basketball team. She especially looks toward her seniors to lead on and off the court. “Some of our leaders this year are guards Brittany Wells and Jasmine Ross. They’re both seniors, who know how to lead on and off the court.”
Coach also is finding herself in a good situation for years to come. “Some of our lowerclassmen are also stepping up as leaders. For example, Tierney Kelsey, Sydney Hurd, and Ka’Mbili Nelson, as juniors, are all stepping up to the plate as juniors.” She also says, “Its very important to find leaders and the family feel. That makes it easier on the floor, having that in game connection.”
Shields also has high aspirations for the rest of the year. “We need to compete day-in and day-out. Developing players is a key to that. Some of our other goals is to bring every senior a scholarship if they want it. Making sure everyone is happy and where they want to be is my main goal.”
When asked if she though state was in the cards this year, Coach Shields reacted very passionately. “I have no doubt in my mind! Every kid and every coach wants to win a state championship. We get there by competing and playing our game, every game.”
“Good luck to my girls, and I’m ready for a great season!”