Derrick Webb, Managing Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by OhioHealth.
FRANKFORT — On a nightly basis, Ava Ferrell is doing something that doesn’t appear on the stat sheet.
Ferrell may not score 20 points every time she steps onto the floor, and she may never play a quarter of college basketball. But if there’s one thing for sure, it’s that any program would be lucky to have her.
She’s the glue that keeps Adena’s basketball program together and is always constant in any storm.
The way she carries herself and the way she leads her teammates are each reasons why she’s been selected as SOSA’s Pickaway-Ross Athlete of the Month.
“Marly [Halcomb], Olivia [Ferrell], and I knew we had to step into a new role this year as leaders since we are the oldest and have the most varsity experience,” Ferrell said. “I couldn’t ask for a better team or better teammates. They are all a joy to be around and all bring something when they step out onto the court.”
Halcomb, Olivia and Ava count as the Warriors’ only three juniors — on a team that features zero seniors. Inherently, those three have become the team’s leaders, guiding the youth-laden roster to a 5-6 start this winter.
But win, lose or tie, Ava is just happy to be on the court in the first place.
CREDIT: Derrick Webb/SOSA
After all, her sophomore season was cut short.
On Feb. 10, 2025, Adena was playing at Westfall in what was, unfortunately and unbeknownst to her, Ava’s last game of her sophomore year.
“I drove to the paint and came to a jump stop,” she said. “When I landed, my left knee kept going forward over my foot, then gave out to the left. That’s when I heard a pop. After that, I couldn’t stand back up.”
She had torn both her ACL and MCL, cementing the end of her year and signaling the start of a long, rigorous journey back to full health.
“It was devastating,” she said. “But I knew I had a strong support system around me to help me through everything. After surgery, things were really hard. I lost all the muscle in my quad, and that was what I struggled with the most, gaining that muscle back. I started physical therapy right away after surgery, and after physical therapy, I went to AP Prep four times a week.”
It wasn’t easy, it was often painful and it took a dedication of time and effort to make a return.
But that never deterred her.
In fact, she even played volleyball this past fall, helping her Warriors reach a regional final with 14 aces and 53 digs.
“The people around me pushed me every day to be better and to improve, helping me get cleared in only five months,” Ferrell said. “I am especially thankful to Dr. [Brian] Cohen and my physical therapist, who supported me throughout my entire journey.”
All the while, she was as focused as ever on her future, too.
Ava spends her school days at Pickaway-Ross, where she’s starting another journey.
“I’m in Early Childhood Education and love the program,” Ferrell said. “The kids, the teachers, and my classmates are a joy to be around. I chose this path because I love working with kids.”
Studying at Pickaway-Ross gives Ava a head start heading into her eventual college career.
And, while she’s still got business left to attend at Adena as a part of the Warriors’ volleyball, basketball and track programs, she’s excited to figure out what comes next.
“I love working kids, and I know I want to pursue a profession that helps support children through their developmental stage,” she said. “I’m just not sure what profession I want to pursue yet.”
SPONSORED BY PICKAWAY-ROSS CTC
