Ladies and gentlemen put your hands together for our lady Kodiaks, starting five. At point guard there’s Sydney Melondy (9), at shooting guard Lola Reike (9), as the other shooting guard we have Rylie Songer (9), for high post there’s Maizy Groff (12), and finally the low post Teyva Dillon (12). With all of the other players and Coach Cody Bench, assisted by coach Lauren Hecker Cascades girls basketball season has had great success during the 2024-2025 season.
The girls kicked off their season with a win against Wenatchee, followed by a winning streak of four before they lost a game to Chelan. The ladies have bonded throughout the four-month season. “This year the energy in the program has skyrocketed. Players love being in the gym and it shows when it comes time to play,” stated Hecker.
This season, the Kodiak girls have been playing well with each other. They have great communication, proper play running, and listen well to the coaches and each other. These improvements have helped them to win games and progress in their program.
In 2022, the girls’ basketball program was in shambles. There were only six girls on the team, coaches kept getting switched, and no one came to support the program. As a result, the team never won a game. This destroyed the confidence of the players who joined and reflected poorly on Cascade High School. The program needed a reboot.
Towards the 2023 basketball season, the players received word that a dedicated team of coaches had committed to coaching. As a result, more girls showed up and tried out. Cascade had both a varsity and jv team. With Cody Bench, also known as Coach B, as head varsity coach the program got whipped back into shape.
“I think that the program has changed since I've been playing by the new coaching which inspired more girls to play and for the basketball team to become a bigger part of the school,” stated Audrey Slatta (10).
Bench had a lot of experience with coaching older girls, and it helped her coach the high schoolers. “I think that the program has changed since I've been playing by the new coaching which inspired more girls to play and for the basketball team to become a bigger part of the school,” stated Audrey Slatta (10). At the end of the 2023 season, the players had experienced their first wins in while and the scores were closer than they had been in years. The program was starting to change.
The 2024-2025 season has carried on that momentum. This season the girls aren’t only getting the scores close, they are winning games consistently. There seems to be an air of hope surrounding the team and program in general. “I hope the program keeps growing, so young girls can see how much basketball can build you as a person and is just fun to play. I can see the kids camps we hold, seeing those girls bonding together and with us is so exciting to see. Starting in the younger community is how we can get larger support for girls’ basketball, and I hope it continues,” explained varsity captain Maizy Groff (12).
There are many goals and expectations for the future in addition to plans for the basketball community and getting more people involved. “I am also looking forward to pulling our community together to create a strong bond that will support the program now and in the future,” said Rylie Songer (9).
Both the varsity and jv teams have goals as well. “A goal I would like to achieve by the end of the season is to grow in my confidence on the court. And to develop a great trust and bond with my teammates,” explained jv starter Ameilia Leach (9). As for the varsity girls, there are many goals for this season. “A goal I have for the season is to win the league tournament and to progress after that as well,” said Groff. With goals being set and games being won, the Kodiak girls have a chance to make it to play offs and or further.
With the love, support and hard work the Kodiak community, the girls basketball program has improved dramatically. The future is looking bright for this young program and team. Come catch a game this week on Tuesday, February 4 against Manson or Thursday, February 5 against Waterville. Girls varsity plays at 5:45. The program would love your support on their biggest game of the season on Thursday, February 6 against Omak at 6p. This will determine whether the ladies advance into post-season play.
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