Williams Gives God the Glory for Success on the Court

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By Marlana Smith

  North Shelby senior Ava Williams was recently named to the Missouri Coaches Basketball Association All-District, KRES All-Star Team, All-State, NE Media All-District, KHQA Do-or-Die and Tri-Rivers All Tournament Team. She earned MVP in the Sophia Cunningham Classic and Norm Stewart Classic. This year Ava joined the 1000-point club as a Lady Raider. She will also represent Missouri in the Missouri vs. Illinois All-Star Game in June.

  In her four years playing Lady Raider basketball, and 104 games, she scored 1,223 points. She went 302 for 395 from the free throw line. Ava earned 343 offensive rebounds and 467 defensives.

  She is the daughter of Donny and Jaime Williams, of Leonard.

  Basketball has been a big part of her life for the past 10 years, starting in the third grade. Ava has been consistently helped and supported by her family throughout her career.

  “I have a passion for the game, being on the court and being competitive,” said Ava.

  Williams whole family likes basketball, but her Papa Jim loved the game.

  When Ava was in sixth grade, her Papa Jim passed away.

  “He never got to see how much I developed as a player,” said Williams. “My Papa Jim was a big motivation and influence for me because even though I knew he was not physically here with me, I could just imagine how proud he would feel and I wanted to continue out of his love for basketball in my life.”

  From playing YMCA basketball, to youth basketball, to high school and travel ball, the love for the game has grown for Ava as she learned more and developed as a player. Ava said no matter what she is involved in, she is just a passionate person.

  Williams has always enjoyed playing the game but didn’t become serious until junior high. Between seventh and eighth grade, Ava began working with some different coaches, played travel ball and her desire to be a better player increased.

  Ali Schwagmeyer-Belger plays in the Women’s National Basketball League and was one of Ava’s coaches for Cross Over Hoops Elite, her travel basketball team.

  “She really pushed us in practice and challenged us to have a more competitive mindset,” Williams said.

  Ava also really admires Abi Feeney-Haire, who was her coach, who played college ball and is a local coach. She helped Ava on the mental side of basketball and to keep high expectations.

  “She reminded me not to beat myself up because it’s OK not to be perfect all the time,” said Williams.

  Ava reflected on her favorite memories playing basketball. The first thing she mentioned was in elementary school playing with the same teammates she finished her senior year with.

  Ava said, her mother, Megan Thrasher and Denise Shockley created an amazingly strong foundation for the girls at a young age, and that made such a difference in how they grew as players.

  Winning the Tri-Rivers Class Tournament this season against Schuyler County will always be a favorite memory of Ava’s.

  “Our celebration afterward in the locker room was the best. Coach Parsons can do some killer post-game dance moves,” Williams said.

  The sectional game against Meadville during her sophomore year stands out. This is when Ava felt she really started contributing to the team.

  “Meadville was ranked pretty high, and we were the underdogs,” said Williams. “We knew they could shoot the lights out, but our guards executed perfectly and were able to get Caroline and I the ball in the post, which is where we really outsized them.

  “I had always just been a role player; I would snag rebounds, play good defense, and maybe chip in 10 points sometimes. However, after that game I learned I could step up in my role as player, mentally and physically, in order for us to win.”

  There is not a day that goes by since her career ended that she doesn’t miss the game.

  “It is awful, actually,” Williams said. “I even told my parents that it felt like getting my heart broken. I have worked so hard to improve and develop and then…it is just over.

  “I will miss my girls – no bond can compare to what it is like to play on a team with the same girls for so long. You suffer through practices together, you win and lose together, and you grow together – as players and as people,” Williams continued.

  “I will miss working out with my mom, even though it typically ended in us arguing 80% of the time, haha (sorry, Mom, for being difficult). I will miss not being able to compete and having to watch other people play instead. I will miss it all so much.”

  One piece of advice that has stuck with Ava is, “Bigger than Basketball.”

  This saying is from Ava’s travel basketball program. It has impacted Williams as a player and a person.

  “It means that while basketball may seem like your life, it is not. God is bigger than basketball,” Ava said. “We have our abilities and talents because of Him. This saying helps me remember my “why.”

  “I play for Him because everything I am able to do comes from His grace and love. I try to have good sportsmanship and act Christ-like because at the end of the day, points don’t matter; I want people to look at me and know that I am a Christian.”

  Ava said she would have not been able to accomplish anything without her amazing coaches, family members and teammates, but she is also proud of herself.

  Her personal accomplishments were fun and exciting, but she is much prouder she was able to contribute and play on a team with some amazing players, who are even more amazing people.

  Until this year, she didn’t think college basketball could be a reality for her. She loves the game but does not think it fits into her future.

  Williams plans to attend Truman State University and major in agribusiness. She hopes to continue her education at the University of Missouri’s School of Law to become a lawyer or focus on ag policy. She has also considered international agricultural trade.