She will go down as one of the greatest athletes to attend Ashville High School.On Monday, Destiny Lane became the first Ashville basketball player, boy or girl, to sign a Division I scholarship as she agreed to play for Jacksonville State University.
Lane is the 18-year-old daughter of Edward and Sena Lane. She has always attended the Ashville schools. She started playing basketball at the age of 8 and was a member of the varsity Lady Bulldogs for five years.
Lane knew this day would one day come because so many collegiate programs were interested in her. Her job was to narrow down her choice to one college.
Colleges interested in her included the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Samford, Stetson, South Alabama, Middle Tennessee, East Tennessee, just to name a few.
“I chose JSU because they have a good program,” Lane said. “It is close to home and my parents can come see me play.”
Lane said she feels great and is extremely happy about being the first basketball player ever from AHS to sign a Division I scholarship.
Some of her accomplishments over the past five years include scoring 2,725 career points, most in Ashville girls’ basketball history. She was named All-County five consecutive years, All-Tournament MVP in 2007 and the Coaches MVP for the county from 2005-08. She was named All-Area five years, All-State second team in 2007 and All-State honorable mention for two years.
Lane led the Lady Bulldogs to the Northeast Regional Tournament three years in a row and was named to the All-Region Tournament Team in 2007.
In the five years she was a member of the team, the Lady Bulldogs compiled an overall record of 104-48 and at one point, Ashville won 35 home games in a row.
Lane has a 3.14 GPA and plans to study pre-med. She wants to be a veterinarian.
When asked if she would one day like to play professional basketball in the WNBA, Lane said it is not a dream right now.
“If it happens and they offer enough money, then yeah, but right now, that is not a dream,” Lane said.
Sena Lane said she is extremely proud of her daughter because she has worked so hard for such a long time.
“We’ve always told her hard work would pay off,” Mrs. Lane said. “She worked hard on the basketball court and in the classroom to maintain good grades.”
Edward Lane said Destiny is truly a wonderful daughter and has done great at Ashville High.
“Over the years, she has worked extremely hard to accomplish these many goals,” he said. “She worked tirelessly during the season and summer looking to improve her game. I’m looking forward to seeing her play at the Division I level.”
Ashville coach Dale Beason said this was an accomplishment and a life-long goal of Lane’s.
“To see her do this at the D-I level is something that has never been done here at this school,” Beason said. “She will go down as one of the greatest if not the greatest female athletes at Ashville High. She can also be competitive with many of the guys here as well.”
With the accomplishments of the past five years by the Lady Bulldog basketball program and Lane signing this scholarship, Beason said it shows they are doing something right with the program.
AHS principal Jason Baker said Lane is a fantastic athlete.
“She is a great student as well and I am glad to see her move on to the next level,” Baker said.
Ashville Mayor Robert McKay was on hand for Lane’s scholarship signing and said he had followed her career on the basketball court.
“She has always been an outstanding athlete and we knew this day was coming,” McKay said. “I am so thankful JSU took her to give her the opportunity because I know she is going to make the City of Ashville proud.”
