Westmoreland County Senior Spotlight: Hempfield’s Ashley Hosni

By: Anthony DiFilippo
Monday, January 15, 2024 | 11:13 AM

Last year, Hempfield’s girls basketball team went 9-13. This year, under new coach Bob Madison, the Spartans won seven of their first 11 games.

Ashley Hosni, a trusted senior, pointed to some things that the new coach brings to the table.

“Coach Bobby, he’s brought a whole new atmosphere,” Hosni said. “Everything is a lot more energetic and positive. He’s brought us a lot more confidence.”

Hempfield did drop its first two section games against Seneca Valley and Pine-Richland, but that didn’t stop Hosni from being confident and direct with her goals for the rest of the season.

“My biggest goal is to make the playoffs,” Hosni said.

Senior Sarah Podkul, who along with Hosni, averaged double-digit points for Hempfield last season, is another player who is leaned on and off the court.

One word — confidence — describes how both are able to lead the younger members of the team.

“To lead the team, Sarah and I, we’ve always played together,” Hosni said. “We just know how to get the girls going, build up their confidence, show that whenever we can build up the momentum, so can they.”

Hosni is a multi-sport athlete, being named an all-section outside hitter in volleyball.

Playing multiple sports can bring plenty of benefits physically, but Hosni outlined the mental parts that can carry over between the two.

“I would say volleyball is a big mental game. I think it brings a lot of confidence and ability to bounce back in basketball,” she said. “Vice versa, basketball’s a lot more individual, and it just brings my work ethic into volleyball, I would say.”

Hosni is likely going to Pitt, and she plans to major in either chemical or biomedical engineering.

This week, Hosni took some time for a Senior Spotlight Q&A:

How did you get started with basketball?

I got started very young. I entered this church program, it was called Upward, and my dad was the coach.

What’s the key coming into the stretch of section games?

I think that the two section losses were a big wake-up call that we need to work a lot harder and put in extra effort to come through and pull through those wins. Especially Seneca (Valley), that was a close loss that hurt us. I think it just showed that we need to work harder and come even more prepared for our next games. We just have to work hard to come through for our next section play.

What is your specific role and style of play on this team?

I would say that overall, I’m a big defense person. I bring a lot of basketball IQ to the team and being able to read plays, being able to make big stops on defense, along with setting up shots on offense and pushing the ball down the court. Also being there as a hard worker for the team, going after every loose ball, getting offensive and defensive rebounds.

What is your favorite memory from your volleyball career?

I would say probably winning our playoff game this year for volleyball. It just showed that hard work pays off, and it was very nice to do it my senior year and see all the success that came from it.

What is one thing that people may not know about you?

One thing people may not know about me is that it takes me at least five alarms to wake up every morning and that I have once slept through my house alarm and my bedroom closet falling down.

Tags: Hempfield