Girls basketball: Flower Mound's Deary signs with Northwestern

When Flower Mound girls basketball player Ashley Deary began to narrow her collegiate options, the senior guard knew she wanted to find a program that provided a balance of athletic and academic excellence, but wasn't exactly sure where that would be.

One visit to the Midwest was all Deary needed to make her decision.

While programs like Kansas and Vanderbilt also fit the ball, the speedster ultimately opted to ink with Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. during National Signing Day last Wednesday.

"I'm feeling really good right now," Deary said. "At first, I had no idea where I wanted to go. But I had a friend who had committed to Northwestern and was telling me about the school. I went up there on an unofficial visit and went to their elite camp and I liked it. So I went on an official visit back in June and just loved it."

"It's a great accomplishment," added Sherika Nelson, Flower Mound head coach. "It doesn't get much bigger than that. Ashley is a player who has worked extremely hard and I couldn't be happier for her. You could see her ability from the start, but her leadership abilities just continued to get better. It's hard to imagine it has been four years already."

Deary is the second LISD girls basketball player to head to the Big 10 after Marcus product Shannon Malone signed with Wisconsin last year.

"I'm friends with Shannon and have played some summer ball with her," Deary said. "I haven't really gotten a chance to talk to her yet and I don't think Shannon really even knows what it's like yet. They're just getting going this season. But I'm so excited to play in a league like that. I know everyone is going to be bigger and faster than I'm used to. But I can't wait to get started. It's going to take a lot of hard work, but I think if I put in the effort and study my opponents and their tendencies, I can make the adjustments."

But more than just athletics, Deary was impressed with Northwestern's academics and location.

"I knew right away that I liked it," she said. "I went up with my friend on my unofficial visit and loved the campus. We went into Chicago, which is about 15 minutes away, with the rest of the team and had a great time. It was a good experience and really helped me make my decision. I loved the area and everyone on the team."

In the classroom, she plans on studying something business related.

"They have unbelievable academics," Deary said. "I think I am going to try and major in economics or something in that area."

When Deary arrives in Evanston, she figures to do the same thing on the court she has done at Flower Mound.

"I want to be a shutdown defender," she said, "and distribute the ball. I can score when necessary, but I just want to pass the ball and make my teammates better."

But before that happens, Deary knows she has unfinished business at Flower Mound.

"We want to win district," she said. "That's our first goal and I think we have the tools necessary to do that and to hopefully go deep in the playoffs. This is just a relief to have my college decided and set in stone and can enjoy my senior year."

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