Former Tiger set to lead Centralia boys program

Centralia has always been home for Tyler Ashmore.

The former Tiger played for legendary coach Ron Brown at Centralia, as did some of his family members, and he went on to play at Centralia College before finishing his collegiate career at Pacific Lutheran University in Parkland.

So when the opportunity arose to take over the Centralia boys basketball team, Ashmore didn't hesitate.

After spending two seasons as an assistant on former coach Jordan Thomas' staff, Ashmore was named the new Centralia boys basketball coach this spring.

"It's a dream to coach at Centralia," Ashmore said. "My dad played here in the 80s, my mom went here, my Uncle Jake played, all my uncles played ... To be able to lead this program, it's pretty cool."

Ashmore finished his prep career in 2018, one year after he got to play for Brown in his 56th and final season at the helm.

Naturally, some of Brown's coaching tendencies stuck with Ashmore.

"He was just so calm and collected, but when he got on you, it was like a wake-up call," Ashmore said with a smile. "I understood the tradition that Coach Brown built and the importance of Centralia basketball in the community.

"I just want our current athletes to understand that we can be successful too," Ashmore continued. "It's about focusing on the process it takes to get back to winning basketball games."

His eventual coaching style continued to evolve as he made his way through his college career, which began at Centralia College after former CC assistant coach Jonathan McMillan asked if he wanted to try out for the team after a series of open gyms.

Ashmore spent two seasons with McMillan and head coach Jason Moir, who was present this past weekend to watch his son, rising freshman JC Moir, play for Ashmore and Centralia in the Hub City Classic.

Ashmore was a part of the 2019 CC team that made it to the NWAC Tournament, an accomplishment not matched by a Trailblazer team until this last winter, when the Trailblazers made the quarterfinals.

As a sophomore, he started all 28 games the Trailblazers played before the COVID-19 pandemic, averaging 10.2 points and six rebounds per game while shooting 44 percent from the floor.

"Playing for Jason and Jonathan was awesome," Ashmore said. "I learned a lot. We had a very talented team that year, and they helped me find a role within that talented group. The importance of understanding your role and having honest conversations with each other has helped me as a coach now."

After two years at CC, Ashmore transferred to PLU. He played in 10 games as a junior, averaging 7.3 points per game, and in his senior season, he averaged 8.2 points per game across 24 games, including 10 starts.

Like his time at Centralia College, Ashmore has nothing but positives to think back on.

"It was the group dynamic that sticks out to me," Ashmore said. "We were a very close group and had a team chemistry that a coach can only dream of. "(PLU) Coach Chad Murray taught me a lot about sacrifice and helped me understand the game at a much higher level than I ever knew before."

After his playing career, he didn't have to look far to begin his coaching career.

Thomas, a former classmate and teammate of Ashmore's, was hired as the Centralia boys coach two years ago, and he reached out to Ashmore to ask him about joining his staff.

"I was all in," Ashmore said. "(Thomas) understood the challenge we had, put in a lot of work with the kids, and laid the foundation of what I'm trying to build off of now."

Ashmore won't coach his first official game until the beginning of the winter season, but he got a sneak peek at what his team could look like at last weekend's Hub City Classic.

The tournament itself was a bag of mixed results for the Tigers, as they lost three straight on Saturday before rebounding with two wins on Sunday. Regardless of the results, though, Ashmore was pleased to see the growth that he expects to continue once the season rolls around.

"Just the constant buying in to play defense, rebound, and play together," Ashmore said. "That's all I can ask for."

As of June 18, Centralia is set to open its 2026-27 season at home against Montesano on Nov. 25.

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This story was originally published June 20, 2026 at 11:17 AM.