Congratulations to Yonkers Montessori Academy senior Ashley Soto, who recently scored her 1,000th point in her high school career. Ashley has, remarkably, been playing for the YMA varsity girls’ basketball team since the seventh grade.
Because YMA is a pre-kindergartenthrough-grade-12 school, which does allow middle-school students to play for the high school teams provided that they pass a certification test, which Ashley did easily.
“I’ve been playing since I was 4, and my grandmother kept me going and interested in basketball,” said Soto, who played in girls’ leagues and in AAU before joining the YMA girls’ team.
Ashley, now a senior, is a point guard and shooting guard for the YMA squad, and has been the team’s captain for four years. “I used to score a lot but now I had to change my game a bit to better help the team,” she said. “I play all around and do whatever it takes.”
Her high scoring-game came last year when she had 36 points. “I was in a groove and didn’t get down on myself at the start of the game,” she said.
Soto’s 1,000th point came last year at a home game, on a lay-up. “I needed 12 points to reach 1,000 and after the layup, I had it and they stopped the game,” she said. “My coach gave me the game ball.”
YMA girls’ basketball coach Elie Moise aid Soto is a pleasure to coach. “I’ve been coaching for four years and Ashley has been on the team for six years,” said Moise. “She does everything we ask – she rebounds, runs the offense – whatever is needed, she does. Ashley is a real leader who gets her teammates to work hard. She is first on the line for practice and usually the last to leave taking free throws.”
Moise said this year’s team is having “one of our better seasons. We have the talented pieces in place at every position and the kids are great,” she said. “One of the statistics that I’m most proud of is that our team grade-point average is 89. That’s what I’m proud of.”
Soto’s favorite player is Stephan Curry, and her favorite shot, like Curry, is a 3-pointer from the wing. “I like his attitude,” she said about Curry. Soto said she is hoping to continue playing basketball in college. “If I can get the chance I will keep playing. If not, then I plan on studying physical therapy so I can still have some connections to basketball. Hopefully, I will get a scholarship to play but nothing has come in yet.”
Any advice for young girls who hope to score 1,000 points in high school? “Keep your head up and keep striving to do better even if things aren’t going your way,” said Soto. “And always focus on your grades and studies.”
Congratulations, Ashley Soto, and good luck in the rest of the season. If you know of a YPS student-athlete who deserves the attention of our readers, email us at risingmediagroup@gmail.
