Scarborough senior Ashley Briggs, joined by her parents, Don and Allison, her brother, Josh, and her coaches (back row, from left), Rita Maines, Tom Maines, Doug Adams, Brian Clement, Ron Cote and Mike Giordano, signs her National Letter of Intent to attend and play basketball at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire at a ceremony Tuesday afternoon. Briggs, a reigning league all-star and Scarborough Winter Female Athlete of the Year, gave credit to many during an emotional speech.
“I can’t even put it into words,” said Briggs, who’s undecided on a major. “It’s indescribable to have this moment. I went to a Duke camp in middle school and after seeing what college basketball was like, it got me thinking about playing in college.
“I knew exactly what I wanted. I wanted something maybe two hours away. I wanted a campus with hills and trees. Saint Anselm is perfect for me. I think they’ll be a force to be reckoned with. They have a new coach, Julie Plant, who I’m so excited to play for. I have to prove myself and work for a spot, but I think I’ll fit in well. I’ve learned so much from all my coaches.”
“Ashley’s such a competitor,” said Giordano. “I’ve spent 25 years coaching boys and girls and she’s in the top five of bringing it every time. She separates herself that way. She’s the daughter of a coach and look at the coaches she’s played for. She brings a great basketball IQ to the next level.”