A Very Versatile Lady Rabb
By Gordon Pynes

As the 20th Century faded into history a new chapter of outstanding athletic achievement was to begin at Atlanta High School with the incoming 21st century.  It had already been evident in their middle school years that both the boys and girls of the Class of 2004 would be very competitive in Rabbit sports.  The boys would produce the first ever State football championship and add two State track titles.  On the female side this group of girls would be possibly the best ever over the four sports of volleyball, basketball, softball and track.

Ashlee Anderson would provide an immediate impact to Lady Rabb sports as a ninth grader.  Ashlee went out for volleyball, basketball and softball.  She lettered in all three and over the four years would earn twelve letters (four in each of the three sports).  A natural leader, Anderson was chosen by her upper classmates to lead the basketball team on to the floor before each game.  That was quite an honor for the young newcomer.

As long as she can remember Ashlee involved herself in sports.  First came softball and basketball.  Her parents brought her to Atlanta to play softball with a 6-7 year old group called the Little Angels.  An intro to basketball came pretty quick with grade school contests in free throw and 3 point shooting.  Many an afternoon found her at home putting up free throws and long shots from beyond the arc.  She could hardly wait to play in middle school and during her 8th grade year played with an AAU team in Mount Pleasant.  Volleyball gained her interest also as she joined the 7th grade team.

As she entered high school, Ashlee would prove vital to each of the three Lady Rabbs teams during her four varsity years.  She would end up an All-District performer in each sport excelling as the softball shortstop.  As a four - year starter in basketball, Ashlee made her most productive accomplishments on the hardwoods.

Averaging 17 points and 8 rebounds a game she boosted the Lady Rabbs to a District championship and spot in the playoffs.  Her basketball exploits were many as she earned All Region selection and Offensive player of the year.  Then most prominent was her being chosen to represent Atlanta in the Texas Coaches Association All-Star basketball game following high school graduation.

Coach Donna Walker enjoyed all four years of Ashlee’s basketball talent at Atlanta High.  Walker spent 20 years as the Lady Rabbs coach and states that many games were won during Ashlee’s time.  She described Anderson as an extremely focused athlete from her freshman year forward who was steady and driven to improve on her ability.

Ashlee’s all around athletic ability and excellent basketball play brought widespread interest from college roundball recruiters.  She signed to play for the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes.  Tulsa was delighted to sign Anderson and lauded her ability in several press releases.  She was ranked among the nation’s top 100 players by several publications and one saw her as the 21st best overall guard in the country.  The Tulsa coach lauded Ashlee as one of the most athletic players to ever play there.  The coach commented “She is very quick and is solid on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court.  We believe she is the total package.”

Ashlee played one year for the Hurricanes before the coach and staff that recruited her moved on to another school.  She then decided to get closer to home and played a year for Kilgore College.  Deciding then to major in business she gave up full time basketball and graduated from Stephen F. Austin University.  Landing a job with the Bank of America in Plano, Ashlee  has steadily risen in the financial firm over 13 years.  She now manages a team of Loan Auditors.

However, Anderson did not completely give up her love for basketball.  Since moving to the Dallas area she involved herself in high school basketball officiating.  As a member of the Dallas and North Texas Basketball Officials Association she has been a referee in many high school games to include playoff contests.  Only recently has she decided to take a rest from officiating.

One the best ever and versatile Lady Rabbs athlete, Ashlee Anderson has earned her induction into the Atlanta Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2021.  The ceremony will take place Friday night just before kickoff at the Atlanta - White Oak Football game.