A year later, Kelly has her legs and Westfield State women's basketball moving again

December 16, 2012

By Dick Baker, Springfield Republican

CHICOPEE – With Westfield State leading 10-6 early Saturday afternoon at Elms College, senior Owls guard Briana Kelly of Hampden had already scored an amazing eight points.

After last year, what’s amazing is that she was out there at all.

The former Minnechaug Regional High School standout missed her entire junior season while suffering from Compartment syndrome, a serious condition that involves increased pressure in the muscle compartment of the legs. It can lead to muscle and nerve damage and problems with blood flow. It is accompanied by piercing pain.

As a sophomore, Kelly was a second team All-MASCAC selection who helped the Owls to the regular-season championship and a 21-6 record. Without her last season, Westfield finished 13-13.

“We missed Bri terribly last year,” Westfield State coach Andrea Bertini said after Kelly’s fast start sent the Owls en route to a 67-33 victory.

Kelly, who had surgery on her legs, said she really doesn’t know what caused the Compartment syndrome.

“I feel a little better,” she said, acknowledging that she still has some pain that comes and goes on the court.

Saturday, she played 23 minutes and finished with 10 points, three assists and no turnovers while going 5 for 9 from the field.

From the free-throw line, she is 19 for 21. “And that’s also something we missed last year,” Bertini said.

The Owls are 6-4, and Kelly’s presence is particularly beneficial on defense, where the team effort has been inconsistent.

But the defense was terrific Saturday, led by Kelly and feisty sophomore guard Jen Ashton of Beverly.

Most of Ashton’s 24 minutes came in the first half. She had seven steals, seven assists, and only one turnover to go along with six points. She has 42 steals, and has reached six steals four times.

“They just throw the ball into my hands,” Ashton said.

Not quite. Bertini said Ashton not only knows her team’s plays, but the others as well, and anticipates where the ball is going.

“Jen is the most complete player we’ve ever had,” Bertini said. “She can score only six points and still dominate a game. She’s a triple-double waiting to happen. She has strong hands, and can deflect the ball back to herself.”

Bertini found Ashton at a recruiting showcase at Boston University. And although the Beverly High School team wasn’t very strong, Ashton impressed by covering the opponent’s center while still taking the ball up court as the point guard.

Bertini recalled a game against Revere when the 5-6 Ashton hauled down 18 rebounds and had 10 steals.

The Owls have only three seniors, one of whom is Jenny Bell of Northampton, who has also been fighting injuries. She played seven minutes.

High School of Commerce graduate Gabby Felix had game-highs of 18 points and eight rebounds for the Owls. Hustling freshman guard Keri Doldorian added 13 points. Freshman center and Amherst-Pelhan Regional High School graduate Forbasaw Nkamebo collected six rebounds and four points in 13 minutes.

Elms (2-6), also young with only two seniors, struggled against a bigger opponent from a higher-level conference.

Gianna Youngblood, who hit on successive 3-pointers and just missed on a third, led the Blazers with 11 points, while Denisha Parks fought through the Owls defense to manage 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds.