VA-SJ’s Ward to be a Penguin

The 6-foot-3 guard was was the Division III player of the year.

YOUNGSTOWN — Ashen Ward, the reigning Division III player of the year from Villa Angela-St. Joseph High in Cleveland, has signed with the Youngstown State University basketball team.

Ward, a 6-foot-3 guard, averaged 14.7 points and 6 rebounds per game, leading the Vikings to the state semifinals in 2007. VA-SJ reached the state championship game in 2006 when Ward was a sophomore.

The Vikings have a 39-14 record with Ward in the lineup the past two seasons.

Last winter, the Vikings lost to Findlay Liberty-Benton in the state semifinals while posting an 18-8 mark. Against Liberty-Benton, Ward had 12 points, three assists and three rebounds. He was named to the all-tournament team.

In 2006, VA-SJ lost to Cincinnati North College Hill, featuring O.J. Mayo and Bill Walker, in the state title game. Ward had seven points, four rebounds and three assists in that game.

Ward said all his feelings toward YSU were good from the beginning.

“I got a good vibe from everything at Youngstown State,” he said. “When I talked to the coaches, I had a comfort level with them on the phone and that continued when I met them in person. Then I made my visit and that was terrific. I saw how the team played and knew right away it was a good fit for me and my type of game.

“It is very close to home and my parents can come at watch me and I can still get home whenever I need to.”

Youngstown State coach Jerry Slocum likes Ward’s overall makeup.

“We are very excited to sign a player like Ashen,” Slocum said. “He is a solid student-athlete who is also a quality basketball player.”

Women’s signing

YOUNGSTOWN — Camisha Alexander of Beckley, W. Va., has signed with the YSU women’s program.

Alexander, a 5-foot-5 guard from Woodrow Wilson High, averaged 15 points and four rebounds per game and was named honorable mention Class AAA All-West Virginia as a junior.

“We are very excited to sign a player of Camisha’s caliber,” Hill said. “She brings speed and quickness to the backcourt with the ability to score from behind the arc.”

Alexander averaged 12 points per game as a sophomore and 10 points per game as a freshman.