Few area families have accomplished as much on the basketball court as the McLaughlin family of Andover.
But whenever this season comes to an end for the Holy Cross women's basketball team, it will put a close to the storied McLaughlin hoops tradition.
"My parents haven't really talked to me about it ending," said Ashley McLaughlin. "I don't know if they think it will be too emotional."
Ashley is the youngest of three siblings, also consisted of brothers Tommy and Corry, that made their indelible mark on Andover High basketball lore.
She is currently a senior forward for Holy Cross (17-12), a team that is headed into the Patriot League tournament starting March 8. If the Crusaders are to win that tournament, they would make their second straight trip to the NCAA Division 1 tournament.
"It would just be the best to go out in the tournament," she said. "I can't imagine a better way to end my career than to win the Patriot League and make the tournament.
"Last year we played Duke. It was such a great atmosphere. You see all the hype on TV, but when you get there it is such am amazing atmosphere that I will always remember. There is nothing like it."
The 6-foot-1 senior has started all 29 games for Holy Cross. She is second on the team with 4.0 rebounds per game, and is a standout defender on the low post.
But success on the hardcourt began long before she donned the Purple and White of the Crusaders.
McLaughlin was a four-year varsity player for Andover High and a two-time Eagle-Tribune All-Star. Her senior season, 2003-04, she averaged 14.2 points per game and was Eagle-Tribune Player of the Year and an All-Scholastic.
She was also a key member of the team her junior season that won the Division 1 state championship over Minnechaug on a buzzer-beater by Samantha Hughes.
"Seeing Hughesy hit that shot was an amazing feeling," she said. "All those girls on the team were so close."
For her career, she totaled 1,150 points. That still ranks her second all-time in scoring for Andover girls basketball, behind Charlotte Muller (1,616).
"She plays down low now but she played on the wing for me," said Andover basketball coach Jim Tildsley. "She was a slasher as an offensive player and was not afraid to put the ball on the floor. She was also one of the best defensive players I have ever had. She blocked shots and covered the other team's best player."
McLaughlin's success in basketball followed a tradition in her family. Her father, Tom, a native of Bronx, N.Y., played Division 1 basketball at Tennessee and UMass Amherst.
Her oldest brother, Corry McLaughlin, excelled for the Golden Warriors from 1993-97. The 6-foot-8 center then began his college career at Fordham before transferring to Vermont. He excelled as a student-athlete, making the America East Academic Honor Roll four straight years, and was a two-year captain as a key player off the bench. He recently moved out to California to work in business
Tommy McLaughlin then followed, and earned the nickname Tommy Gunn for his scoring exploits. In only three years, he scored a then-school record 1,564 points. He missed his entire senior season with a knee injury. Tommy went on to play at William and Mary and Princeton. He currently works for Morgan Stanley Financial in New York City.
"I learned to play basketball with my brothers and my dad," Ashley said. "I learned my post moves from Corry and to flash and go to the hoop like Tommy.
"We would go out and shoot every day in the summer. And we played with no fouls and they were rough on me. That's where I gained my toughness."
That toughness has become McLaughlin's trademark during her time at Holy Cross. The four-year varsity player has started 83 of a possible 87 games over the past three years. She played in 31 as games a freshman and earned Patriot League All-Rookie Team honors.
"I take a lot of pride that I went to such a great school," said McLaughlin, who verbally committed to Holy Cross as a sophomore. "I wouldn't change a thing for the world. I love the team, and this is such a great school. I have had a great experience here."
The Crusaders must win three games in the Patriot League tourney. If they do, they would return to the NCAA tournament.
She hopes that is the case, because she isn't ready for her career to come to a close.
"It is so weird," she said. "It is a little bitter sweet because it is my senior year. Basketball will always be a part of my life, and it is going to be very different not having a game or having to get up and go to practice every day."
The Ashley McLaughlin File
Sport: Basketball
Position: Forward
School: Holy Cross
High School: Ranks second in Andover High history with 1,150 points, and stood out for Golden Warriors that won 2002-03 Division 1 state championship. All-Scholastic her senior year. Also stood out in volleyball.
College: A four-year varsity player and three-year starter at forward for Holy Cross. Is second on the team in rebounding with 4.0 rebounds per game.
Family: Father Tom played at Tennessee and UMass Amherst. Brother Corry played for Andover High and Vermont. Brother Tommy set a then-Andover High record with 1,564 points in only three years. He went on to play at William and Mary and Princeton.
