By Steve Breazeale
The USC women’s basketball team lost several senior starters to graduation, which has left a leadership vacancy that San Clemente alum Cassie Harberts has been more than willing to fill.
After seeing considerable playing time last season, Harberts, now a junior, has stepped into the versatile role of scorer, playmaker and inside presence for the Women of Troy. Harberts has been the team’s leading scorer 18 times and it’s leading rebounder 15 times in 26 games played.
The team is in the midst of an 8-18 season (5-10 Pac-12), which is a drop-off from their 19-win performance in 2011-2012.
We caught up with Harberts to ask her about the state of USC women’s basketball, her ascension into offensive centerpiece and her outlook on the future.
San Clemente Times: The team seems to be having a down year. What were the teams own preseason expectations?
Cassie Harberts: Coming into the season, one goal was to get into the NCAA Tournament…It has been a rough season but I think it has to do with strength of schedule early on. We played a lot of top-25 teams…We’ve also been hindered by some injuries.
SCT: You have been leading the team in scoring and rebounding on a nightly basis. What’s been the biggest difference in your game from last season to this one?
Harberts: I think being on this team right now I’m really the only big inside presence so a lot of my game has developed in back to the basket moves and being that inside presence. I also recently started to shoot 3-pointers more.
SCT: Is that outside shooting role something you came in to USC with? Or has it been a point of emphasis between you and your coaches for this season?
Harberts: I think coming in as a freshman my true position was a (forward). I had to take over the (center) position last year because we were kind of undersized the entire season. I thought this year coming in we’d have another center, but we don’t. Maybe next year. But my game has developed to being a more versatile post player now. I want to gain more guard skills going into next year.
SCT: USC has only one senior on the roster and three juniors, including yourself. You’re kind of the “elder statesman” of this team now. Have you felt the need to step up and lead?
Harberts: I think this year I’ve really tried to step into that role and be more vocal and lead by example. Last year we had three senior captains…So I needed to step up and be a leader for this team.
SCT: What should we expect out of this USC team down the stretch?
Harberts: We have UCLA this week (February 19 and February 24) and I think it can be a really good week for us. We can step up and show people what they’re not expecting us to do. We are also ready for the Pac-12 Tournament (March 7). Winning the Pac-12 (Tournament) will give us a straight shot into the NCAA tournament. Right now anything is possible.
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