It sorta sounds like a song, doesn’t it?
Lala.
Ya know, La la la la la, la la la.
Or it sounds like something, or someone … famous, maybe. Like Gaga or Baha … the beach? Or like Wawa, if, ya know, you need gas in Philadelphia.
Lala.
Oh, for Pete’s sake, people. Like the basketball player? You do know THE basketball player, right? The one that goes by “Lala,” plays for the Wheeling Park Lady Patriots, and hits bomb after bomb from four-point range?
As a sophomore, Ashlyne “Lala” Woods helped lead the Park ladies to the state Class AAAA playoffs for the second straight year, and last March she scored 27 points in a semifinal win over Spring Mills and 14 markers in the 54-50 loss to Morgantown in the title game. But see, that was six months ago.
This young lady has played and played and played for AAU teams ever since, and she’s excited to put back on her red, white, and blue #35 uniform for Wheeling Park once again to display the improvements she’s made on all aspects of her game. That’s what her older sister, Shanley, did during her 1,000-point-plus career, and she’s following her example.
Oh, and it was Shanley, by the way, who labeled Ashlyne with her ultra-popular nickname and, in turn, created the Lady Patriots’ very own version of “Lala Land.”
OK, so what’s up with the whole “Lala” name thing?
Well, I get that a lot.
Well, my older sister Shanley started calling me “Baby Lala” when I was born, and it just stuck. My teachers call me that, and so do all of my coaches.
When did you and your sister first realize you two resemble your mother?
People also tell me (and her) that a lot, and (they tell me) I look like my mom more than my dad. But I think it’s just because we have blonde hair.
People think my sister and I are twins all the time!
Did you know your father was a Wheeling Thunderbird?
Yes, and it was really fun celebrating him when he recently was put into the team’s Hall of Fame.
I’ve heard many stories about when he played and how he was a “fighter.” I think I might have a little bit of that in me on the court.
What is it about basketball?
I really loved playing both softball and basketball growing up, but I started to realize that basketball was my favorite after 7th grade. I knew then that I’d have to really work hard due to my size to be able to compete at the level that I want to play at.
So far, basketball has taken me to so many places that I may not have ever gone.
My Bruins (AAU) team had the opportunity to play at Rucker Park in NYC last summer, which was so fun to be able to play on the court that some of the best players ever have competed on.
Basketball has given me teammates who have turned into my best friends and coaches who always support and encourage me whether it’s AAU season or high school season. I love playing for my high school and it’s been really awesome to have the support of so many people in the community who come to our games.
I’m excited for my junior season playing for Park.
What will be your favorite class in school this semester?
I love my broadcasting classes and those would definitely be my favorite.
