By Rylee Turner
Even through devastating injury, Ashton Clemons still manages to make waves when it comes to the life of sports in Jackson County. For as long as he can remember, Ashton has been involved in one sport or another; around eleven and a half years ago the seventeen-year-old began to play basketball at the Annville Ministries where he would grow not only as a player but as a leader. Now the same boy who was once being coached in that gym is coaching a tiny team of his own.
Following a football season-ending injury, where Clemons broke three bones, tore a tendon, and dislocated his ankle, Ashton walked off the field through the pain, knowing that basketball season would look differently this year. Despite this, he has stuck around for his team, and in his downtime, he has taken on the responsibility of teaching tomorrow’s athletes. When Clemons was asked about what this new experience has meant to him, he wholeheartedly replied– “Doing this has meant a lot to me– helping little kids out and teaching them how to learn the game. Plus, where I’m hurt, it helps a lot, just getting around, moving around, and just helping them.”
Through the observance of Ashton’s coaching, it’s clear that even outside of a jersey, sports are where he is meant to be. There is an abundance of compassion and patience in the young Clemons’ heart, and when he’s coaching every ounce of that shines through – not only do the adults around him value him, but the youngsters he coaches look up to him. I would like to believe this comes from the level of maturity that Ashton brings to everything he is involved with, whether it be sports or even school.
No matter where life takes Ashton Clemons, his time in sports and his skills as a leader will undoubtedly shape his future as they have already built him into the man he is becoming.
Above from left to right: Ashton’s brother (Braxton Clemons), his father (Chris Clemons), and Ashton after supporting his home team in an away battle against OBI. (Clarification- Braxton was in the starting line up for this game but was injured later in the season.)
Above: Ashton praying with his team after a game.
Above: Ashton, alongside his father, partaking in a pregame lesson and scripture study.
Above: Ashton, alongside his teammates during halftime at OBI.
Above: Ashton, alongside other players at the Ministries, including his big brother, in 2018.
Above: Ashton playing at the Ministries back in 2016.
