After a disappointing season last year where they finished with a 4-23 record, the Cascade Lady Champions are looking to turn a page under new head coach Janie Demonbreum in the 2022-2023 season.
With any coaching transition, change follows soon after and shifting the culture within the program is Demonbreum’s main objective as the season approaches.
At the forefront of the agenda is supporting her squad.
“For me as a female, I’m going to do the best I can when I’m supported. So that’s what I’m trying to do with these girls,” Demonbreum said.
“I want them to love themselves but also each other as a team.”
Last season, the Lady Champs were led by seniors Caroline Stone and Jordan Green with the duo averaging eight and seven points per game respectively.
In total, Cascade graduated six players off last year’s team leaving them with only Annabelle Calvert and Sophie Ray returning with considerable floor time under their belts and no returning seniors.
Demonbreum is counting on them and her team as a whole to come together and contribute night in and night out.
“We don’t have a ‘takeover’ type player, so several are going to have to contribute for us to be successful,” Demonbreum said.
“There’s a lot of these girls that people haven’t seen that can contribute on this team. If they can start believing in themselves and each other, then they will be a different team than ever before.”
While winning is the ultimate goal for any team, Demonbreum’s mission is for the Lady Champs to play hard and have patience.
“Most importantly, I want the girls to go out there and compete hard every game. It may not amount to many wins on the schedule, but it will be a win for this program moving forward,” she said.
“We will get there, but it is going to take some time.”
Cascade’s season will begin on Tuesday, with a road trip to Hampshire High School for a 6 p.m. tip-off.