The 2022 season will mark a new beginning for Hugo senior Ashia Jordan and the Lady Buffaloes basketball team as David Vann takes over the basketball program.

“I have high expectations for all of my girls. Our goals are to win our season, win our tournaments, win the playoffs and go to state. But that all starts with hard work. The girls are still getting to know me and we’re still trying to get to where we need to be,” said Vann.

Assistant coach Nikki Woods has been with the program for several years and knows Ashia well.

“She’s a lethal weapon because I think people look at her and think she can’t produce but then she goes and shows out,” Woods laughed. “She’s just magical. As a senior leader, she’s really shy so getting her out of her shell has been a task, but she sets good examples in her work ethic for the others to follow.”

Woods has another connection to Ashia as well. She is the mother of former Buffalo Jordan Holman who now plays at Northern Oklahoma State and was the NJCAA Region 2 Freshman of the Year this past season. Jordan is also a player that Ashia considers a role model from the time she was just a freshman.

“I just liked the way she worked hard and was a good leader for our team,” said Ashia who is also in cheer where she is a base and tumbles as well as on the track team.

Ashia got into cheer through a friend in the ninth grade and it was there that she achieved her highlight of high school so far.

“We made it to state in cheer this year and that was very exciting,” said the three-year basketball starter who says she would like average at least 15 points a game this year.

As a senior leader, Ashia knows what needs to be done to be successful.

“A good leader tries to help the team when they need it and encourages others if they make a mistake and sets good examples by working hard, listening, and not complaining and shows good character by setting good examples for everyone around her in athletics and in the classroom.”