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The Dora Lady Falcons were knocked out in the sectional round last season, and are hoping for a deeper run into the state tournament this year.
The driving force behind the championship-driven Lady Falcons is senior Cassidy Hambelton, who’s nearing an impressive individual milestone along the way.
For Cassidy, basketball brings a form of peace.
“I have no worries when I’m playing basketball,” the Dora Senior said.
However, Cassidy gives defenses plenty to worry about.
“She elusive. She’s hard to guard, she’s quick, she’s fast and she’s a really good ball handler. It’s one thing when you’re quick and fast and you can’t dribble. But, when you add quick, fast, and elusive to someone who can handle the ball and someone who can shoot from anywhere on the floor, it just makes it tough,” Dora Girls Basketball Coach Cole Garnette said.
Cassidy made All-State as a junior, and just a few games into her senior year she’s approaching 2,000 career points.
“She’s on a different level. I’ve never had a player quite like that. For a player to go out and get 2,000, you’ve got to be a scorer. You’ve got to be a scorer from the time you step on the floor as a freshman to the time you’re a senior, and there are not many kids that are able to do that,” Garnette said.
The four-year starter for Dora knows she’s close to 2,000, but doesn’t plan on stopping there.
“It’s a big milestone, that’s a goal I want for myself to hit, and even maybe 2,500. I think I’m capable of breaking that this year too, and that is a goal I’ve set for myself,” Cassidy said.
Her offensive stats speak for themselves, but it’s on the other side of the ball where she’s improved most.
“I’ve worked on reading passes,” she said.
“She’s bought into ‘hey, I’m going to get more steals if I’m in position, I’m going to get more steals if I guard my girl than have to run around chasing her,'” Garnette added.
Combine her scoring capabilities with her defensive quickness, and there’s no question that Dora is happy she wears a Lady Falcons jersey.
“She means the world to the team. She’s fun to coach, she’s one of the best kids in the school. I don’t think you can think of a better player or a better teammate to be on our team,” said Garnette.
