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Ford to fly with the Phoenix

Jennifer Frew

In the front row, from left, are mother, Paula Ford; Ali Ford; and father and Freedom athletic director Rob Ford. Back row, from left, are grandmother, Georgia Cowan; Freedom head girls’ basketball coach Amber Fox; and Freedom principal Brian Oliver.

By Matt Collins | The News Herald

Published: November 20, 2008

Updated: 11/20/2008 11:39 pm

Morganton — The only direction to look is forward.
As the high school basketball season kicks off today for the Freedom High Lady Patriots, senior point guard Ali Ford, Freedom's all-time leading scorer, has committed to play basketball and attend college with the Elon University Phoenix.
"I like their coaches and players; I feel I can learn something everyday from Coach (Karen) Barefoot," said Ford. "She comes from a winning program."
Former Lenoir-Rhyne University head coach Barefoot, who has a career record of 172-86 while at the helm, had nothing but praise for her prized recruit.
"When I was at Lenoir-Rhyne (from 2001-2005) I remember her as a baby playing basketball," said Barefoot. "I remember everyone was talking about her. It's amazing how things turn out.
"I honestly believe she's one of the best point guards in the country."
"I certainly hate to see her go," said Freedom head girls' basketball coach Amber Fox. "Her scoring ability, leadership and dedication will be missed, but I believe Ali is going to continue to enjoy and excel at the next level.
"She has a tremendous work ethic and is going to a great program at Elon, led by Coach Karen Barefoot. She couldn't have found a better fit."
A common theme among Ford and Barefoot is the radiance emitting from Ford that makes everyone else on her team better.
"She is often the most talented player on the floor," said Fox. "But what really makes her special is her fearless attitude (and) her desire to make everyone around her better."
"She's one of those players that makes others better," said Barefoot.
Ford, however, sees it differently.
"I think I feed off of other players more than they feed off of me," said Ford.
She says she's learned a lot from playing under Fox for what today begins her fourth year.
"Coach Fox understands my game," said Ford, 18. "(She taught me) when things don't go your way, it's OK."
When asked what motivates her, she said, "I want to get better every day. I want to be better tomorrow than I was today."
She points to some in her life for giving her the inspiration to be the best she can today and to be better tomorrow: Her grandma, her father and God.
"I thank God everyday. My grandma, she's 84, she's had cancer, open-heart surgery and broken her hip," said Ford. "She's a strong lady. If one person can go through that much, I can get through this.
"I am thankful for her."
She also said her dad pushes her every day.
"There's probably nothing that means more to a parent than seeing their child's dream come true," said Rob Ford, her dad. "All Ali has ever been totally sure about in her future is basketball."
Before each game, Ford gets pumped up when she walks into the gym during the junior varsity game and sees the atmosphere in there.
And, she says, she gets motivated when she puts her shoes on.
Why?
On the inside of the tongue of her right shoe, it says, "It's not how big you are, it's how big you play."
On the inside of the tongue of her left shoe, it reads, "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice your gift."