Ashley Gomez, Westmoore

Westmoore senior Ashley Gomez took a risk her freshman year when she walked away from soccer to focus on basketball, a sport she had only played two years.

That decision was made a little easier when she started working with former Norman star and UConn women’s basketball player Stacy Hansmeyer, who helped Gomez develop into one of the state’s top offensive threats and perhaps the best 3-point shooter.

Gomez credits Hansmeyer — who also coached at Oklahoma — for most of her development. She signed with Xavier and averaged 14.8 points to lead Westmoore to the state tournament for the first time since 2003 to earn a spot on The Oklahoman’s Super 5.

“It’s actually really cool that when Stacy played at Connecticut they were in the Big East and Xavier’s in the Big East,” Gomez said. “I just think it’s so cool that I’m going to get to play in the same conference that she’s in.”

Gomez talked with The Oklahoman about Hansmeyer, the season and more.

Q: Who is your biggest basketball influence?

A: It’s definitely Stacy Hansmeyer. Everything she’s done, winning state championships at Norman High School, going to the University of Connecticut, winning national championships there and coming back. Anytime I had a basketball complaint she’d tell me it happens to everybody. She’s just very understanding and had examples for everything.

It was definitely going to state. Winning that last game against Deer Creek at Norman North it just all set in and it was all surreal that we were going to state.

I’m a good cook. My favorite thing to cook is cereal (laughs).

Definitely me. Not my brother and not my sister, even though they think they’re better than me. Maybe one day, but not yet. 5-9

Guard Senior

Xavier Gomez was a threat on both ends of the floor for a potent Westmoore team that made the Class 6A state tournament for the first time in 13 years. She averaged 14.8 points and set a school record with 82 3-pointers this season.