First-year Eastside Catholic girls basketball coach Cassandra Snyder is aware that it can take a team awhile to learn a new system.
She’s also fully confident that when her team adjusts, the possibilities are endless.
“Personally, I have high expectations for this group of young ladies because of the talent and experience they bring to the table,” Snyder said. “Once all the girls are on the same page and are more comfortable with our new system, we have the potential of realizing consistent success on the court.”
Snyder, who assisted at Lakes High School the last two seasons, took over a Crusader team that finished 6-15 in 2011.
She feels she has the pieces in place to have a much improved season in 2012 — displayed when Eastside won its first two games against class 4A Bothell and Mariner.
“I have a great group of girls here at Eastside Catholic — very coachable with positive attitudes,” Snyder said.
Leading the group of returners is senior guard Michaela O’Rourke. The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 17 points and three assists per game as a junior.
“She can finish with both hands and a good decision maker by finding her teammates for an open look when the defense collapses,” Snyder said. “Michaela is a natural leader putting the team first. She will always go all out, leaving everything on the court.”
The Crusaders also return 6-foot-2 senior post Sarah Hill, who averaged five points and five rebounds per game.
“Because we don’t have much height it is crucial to have Sarah inside for us on both ends of the floor,” Snyder said.
Other returners include senior guards Shannon Graves and Shelby Newell, along with junior forward Lauren Johnson and sophomore guards Emma Burnham and Ana Wu.
The Crusaders have lost their last four games, but Snyder is aware that there will be ups and downs. In the end, she believes persistence will lead her team to a successful season.
“We have a handful of returning players with varsity game experience, who, together with our
younger players are adjusting and transitioning to a new system,” she said. “Indeed it’s been a classroom on the court, however, I have seen improvement in all aspects of our game on a daily basis.”
