NASHVILLE, TENN.-With March Madness setting in, many conference tournaments are getting underway. But if you notice the Williamson family is a little more "mad," there might be a reason.

Ashley Williamson, a junior center on the women's basketball team at Campbell, is entering her third Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament this week, while little brother Andre, a freshman forward at Appalachian State, will head to the Southern Conference tourney.

With both of her children playing in two separate tournaments, who she guided to always work hard and give all honor to God, what is a mother to do?

Well, Mom, Patricia, is going to both tournaments, of course.

The A-Sun women's basketball championships get underway on Wednesday, March 4 in Nashville, Tenn., with Campbell playing one day later in the quarterfinal round. The SoCon men's tournament, meanwhile, kicks off on Friday, also in the Volunteer State, in Chattanooga.

While the siblings from Colonial Heights, Va. share the same last name and even the state for with which they'll make a bid to cut down their nets, the Williamson's also share similar attributes to their respective games as well. For instance, Andre's points and rebounds per game averages are virtually equally to that of Ashley's fist two season's in the Orange & Black.

Through her first two seasons as a Lady Camel, Ashley Williamson recorded 45 appearances, starting three games, getting time on the court behind all-conference players like Marlena Murphy and Adrienne Riley. Now, as a junior, Williamson is the Lady Camels' primary inside presence, as one of the top rebounders in the Atlantic Sun, Williamson recorded four double-doubles during the regular season.

We caught up with Ashley as her and the Lady Camels prepare for the General Shale Brick Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament.

How did it help you develop as a player when you had to battle with Adrienne Riley and Marlena Murphy in practice every day your first two years?

They were always challenging to play against, and they challenged me to better my game. They were also very strong players, and that made me stronger. In order to do well, I knew I needed to be stronger, like them.

You went from starting three games through your first two seasons, to starting 21 games this year, how has your role on the team changed from last season to now?

My team relies on me for rebounding, defending and scoring down low, being more of a back to the basket post player. Once Marlena left, I knew I had to fill her spot. I knew I was a good rebounder, and while I was nervous because she left some big shoes to fill (two-time all A-Sun, leading the conference with 9.8 rebounds per game as a senior), I had to focus on playing hard and not being Marlena or Adrienne, but being me.

This is your third A-Sun Tournament, what does the team have to do to advance, and maybe take it all the way this week?

We have to play good defense and everyone has to play to their strengths. We'll need some spark off the bench and we'll need to pick each other up when we're not playing well. We need everyone to contribute. For instance, I need to rebound, and we'll need Geami (Britt) to score. If everyone does what they're good at and we work as a team, we can win. If we're down, we can't let everything go. We have to keep fighting because we only have one chance.

You draw Belmont in the first round of the A-Sun Tournament, what do the Bruins bring to the table? They are a team you played very close in Nashville last time.

We have to play good post defense on Jessica Bobbitt (12.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.45 blocks, all A-Sun First Team). We also have to keep an eye on Amber Rockwell (15.0 ppg, second team all-conference). She can shoot well. We have to make sure not to overplay the help when someone is driving, and we have to stay out and put pressure on their outside shooters to make sure they don't get open looks. We have to stay consistent on the offensive end, but this game will be decided by defense.

Your brother, Andre, a freshman forward at Appalachian State, will be making his first appearance in the Southern Conference Tournament this Friday in Chattanooga, have you spoken to him? What is he thinking?

I haven't talked to him a lot about it, but he is excited. He's also happy and grateful to be playing good minutes as a freshman.

Since you have a couple of tournaments under your belt and this is his first, has Andre asked big sister for any advice?

He doesn't really ask for advice. You know how guys are; they don't want advice (jokingly). But I always tell him to always play hard and good things will happen.

He actually averages very similar numbers to your first couple of years, how are you and your brother similar?

He got all of his moves from me (laughing). When we were younger, we started playing basketball about the same time, but I guess I developed a little quicker than he did. I used to beat him and he used to get mad, but once he got older and taller (when Andre was a freshman and Ashley was a junior in high school), he could beat me.

I think me being able to beat him and both of us always having someone to play against, on top of our mother always telling us to go outside and practice helped us develop as players.

My brother is very athletic. He played volleyball in high school, so his shot blocking ability is awesome. He's 6-foot-7 and can dunk the ball really well, but I have a better jump shot.

One more question: how proud is Mom?

Mom is very proud of us. She's coming to see us play on Thursday, and then going to Chattanooga to see him on Friday. I just want to give all honor to God for all of our abilities and all of us being able to be here. That is something that my mom has put into me and my brother.