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Ward named player of the week
YOUNGSTOWN
A player of the week honor usually goes to the athlete that tallied the best statistics or was part of the flashiest play.
Ashen Ward’s back-to-back games scoring over 20 points were one thing and the overtime, come-from-behind victory against Loyola that he helped engineer was another.
But for Youngstown State’s senior guard, earning Horizon League player of the week honors means much more.
“It means that my game is respected,” Ward said. “It means that people appreciate the way that I play and that’s really all you can ask for as a player when you’re working hard and giving everything that you have.”
To his team, there’s an even greater meaning.
“Whatever he’s getting in terms of that kind of honor from our league doubles what he’s meant to our program and the leadership that he’s given,” said YSU coach Jerry Slocum.
“He’s done a tremendous job for us on the floor, off the floor and during games. He’s had a very solid start to our conference year.”
The Cleveland native shared the recognition with Wright State’s Julius Mays, who also scored over 20 points in both of his games last weekend.
Ward is the third Penguin to be named league player of the week in the 2011-12 season. DuShawn Brooks had the accolade on December 5, while Damian Eargle earned it December 26.
“It’s a big statement not just for us, but for our team,” Ward said. “We got some good players and we’re working hard.”
He called this season “a long time coming.” Not only is YSU (9-6, 4-1) off to its best start in Ward’s four years, its off to its best start since joining the Horizon League in 2001. The Penguins are tied with Cleveland State and Wisconsin-Milwaukee for the conference’s top spot.
“I’m appreciating every moment of it,” Ward said. “I won’t take a second of it for granted, but there’s still a lot more work that we have to do.”
Especially if he wants to back up the strong words he told the media on Monday.
“I believe we’re the best team in our league,” Ward said. “There’s not a team that we can’t beat. If we work hard, I can’t see why we can’t be the best team. That’s our goal — to prove that we’re the best team.”
The Penguins get that chance this weekend with a tough pair of games on the road against Valparaiso and Butler.
YSU is winless against the Crusaders in the past 13 meetings and the Bulldogs have appeared in the NCAA championship game each of the past two seasons.
Since conference play started, Ward is fifth in scoring with 14.6 points per game.
“My confidence is pretty high, my shot is feeling good — but it’s really the game overall that’s coming together for everybody,” he said. “I’m just at a good point right now and my teammates are too.”