The girls basketball program here at Orange Lutheran has become increasingly successful, winning several championships and being a source of some of the most upstanding young female athletes at our school. The team has taken home a total of ten league champion titles, along with seven CIF championships. An exceptional player, senior Princess Cassell, embodies what it means to be an upstanding student athlete.
Cassell’s passion for basketball ignited when she was just seven, and has only grown stronger over the past 11 years. She was strongly influenced by her father’s history as a college player and also her older brother’s commitment to the sport, and began playing alongside her older sister in just second grade in a local co-ed recreational league. When speaking with Cassell about the beginnings of her career, she recalled that “growing up, [she] played a lot of sports. [She] participated in tennis, swimming, gymnastics, cheer, track, and then basketball. But basketball always held a special place in [her] heart.” Her dedication to the game has even taken her to various destinations across the country, which she claims have become some of her favorite memories. “Traveling to places like Arizona, Chicago, Vegas, and Hawaii with my teammates has been amazing. Those experiences are unforgettable.” Cassell said.
Princess has been recognized for several significant achievements over high school career. Reflecting back, she proudly said,
“I feel that my greatest accomplishments to date are winning back-to-back CIF championships.” On top of that her senior year she had the highest free throw percentage, led the team in scoring and rebounding, earned 1st Team All-League and the 1st Team All-CIF title, all underscoring just how talented she is on the court.
Not to mention, she recently reached a milestone of 1,000 career points during her senior season. Princess attributes her success firstly to God, stating, “His blessings have brought [her] to where [she is] today.” She also is surrounded by a strong support system of family, friends, and coaches, whom she says have given her “constant support and encouragement.”
Cassell shared about how her family have been strongly impactful in her journey, accrediting her sister to teaching her the value of dedication, her father to instilling in her a love for the game, and her mom and brothers to constantly cheering her on at every game.
“I also thank all of the coaches and trainers that have worked with me to help me develop my skills, and my teammates for believing in me and giving their all for each and every game.” Princess shared.
Reflecting on her senior season, Princess highlighted a memorable trip that brought her and her teammates closer together- “My favorite part about my senior season was our trip to Hawaii. I have built many unbreakable friendships with my teammates and have made memories with them that I will never forget.” But as she looks to the future, Princess “[plans] to play college basketball and pursue a professional career.”
Head coach of girls basketball at OLu, Mrs. Charity, reflected on Princess’s career with OLu girls basketball, asserting how she is an “incredible athlete, fun to watch, and was a huge part of [their] on-court success during her time at OLu.” As she is excitingly graduating this spring, Cassell will be deeply missed here at Orange Lutheran, but with her determination and talent, she is poised for a bright future in basketball in the years to come.
