One-on-one with Aspriona Gilbert

The number 24 jersey that hangs in the gymnasium at Myrtle is all the inspiration this Lady Hawk needs when focusing on her goal of playing collegiate basketball.
Aspriona Gilbert was eight years old when Myrtle legend Armintie Price led the Lady Hawks to a state championship in 2003. Now with Price making a name for herself in the WNBA, Gilbert knows that there is no limit to the success she can achieve.
“Knowing what Armintie has accomplished helps me to see that Myrtle is not just some rinky-dink school, and that we all have the chance to go somewhere,” she said.
The rising junior is one of the premier players in the area, once again taking her game to AAU play this summer with the Northeast Lady Tigers. Playing numerous teams throughout the country has opened her eyes to a new level of the sport, as the 6’3 center/power forward is starting to spark interest from several colleges.
“Playing AAU ball just helps you see what you have to do to make it to the college level,” Gilbert said. “It helps you see different players from not only your area, but nationwide. We see teams from Tennessee, Florida, New York, New Jersey, and it’s a great experience.”
Gilbert focused primarily on her outside game and dribbling this summer and is hoping for another successful year with the Lady Hawks. Last season, she led the team in scoring (21.3 ppg), rebounding (9.5 rpg) and blocks (3.4 bpg), but for her, it is all about team unity, and that is what she thinks it will take for Myrtle to make their third straight trip to the Big House.
“I’m working on my style and Halle (Knowles) is working on her style,” she explained. “We’re just trying to build together and become one team instead of all of us trying to show out.”
A knee injury sidelined Gilbert for the first six games of the 2009-2010 season with the Lady Hawks starting 2-4 before her return. While she had a relatively quick rehab, she would prefer to be with the team from beginning to end and is looking forward to this season.
“It was five months, but it felt like forever for me,” she said. “I hope to stay injury free and for us to win state. We came close last year, but we would like to take it all this year.”
Along with winning state, a county tournament  title would be a nice addition as well, although Gilbert chose not to smack talk against the two-time defending champs at New Albany.
“The first time we played them last year killed me because I couldn’t play,” she said. “But when we played them in the county tournament, it was a good game. We were able to come back within five, but this year we’re going to be ready. It’s become a great rivalry.”
With two years remaining at Myrtle, Gilbert is, without a doubt, on her way to possibly adding her jersey next to the one she has long admired.