The MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard, the Cascade Cougars.
Courtesy photo
The goals are pretty simple. Win a league title. Win the last game.
Cascade (Turner) girls basketball coach Mark Stevens is very clear on that and because of the fact his Cougars have already clinched their league crown, one goal remains: win a state title.
With a 20-1 record and No. 11 state ranking, all signs point to a serious state run. And with four-year starter
Alix Biddington, all-around standout
Alyssa St. Peter and talented point guard
Halle Wright, perhaps the best freshman in the state, the Panthers have the tools to get the job done.
For their superb regular season, outstanding effort every day at practice and steady improvement throughout, Cascade has been picked as the MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.
Cascade is averaging 57.5 points per game and allows just 37.6 while continuing the program's strong tradition of winning.
The Cougars have won state titles in 1985 when they went 21-4 and 2011 (26-1). With Stevens as head coach (22 years), they've never had a losing season. Since 2006-07, they've gone 20-7, 11-8, 15-8, 23-3, 26-1, 19-7, 20-7 and last year 12-12.
His current 11-player roster features four seniors, four juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen. None stand 6-feet, but three are girls are 5-11, including Wright, one is 5-10 and two others are 5-9. More than half the team stands 5-9 or taller.
Height is only a small portion of why Cascade has improved so drastically from last season.
"We've had consistent effort from the players throughout practice," Stevens said. "Improving throughout the season is critical and I think we have been doing that."
The team's strengths?
"Pressure defense and transition off of that," he said. "We have a lot of depth coming off the bench and just great players in general."
Biddington, a 5-6 senior guard, has a great first step and attacks the basket, according to Stevens. She also has 3-point shooting range. St. Peter, a 5-10 junior, plays extremely long and has a great all-around game. Wright can play any position on the floor.
Other starters are
Kayla Loukojarvi, a 5-11 senior, and
Danielle Haddix, a 5-9 junior.
The team's only loss was 47-42 at La Grande on Jan. 10. Since then, the Cougars have won 10 straight. They play at Stayton on Feb. 20 and close the regular season at home against North Marion on Feb. 24.
"A loss is always a ground, humbling and self-evaluation time," Stevens said. "You need a few to keep you focused."
The Cascade Cougars kicking it.
Courtesy photo
