Book Private Basketball Lessons with Coach Cassie

I played on the varsity girls’ basketball team at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach, VA all four years I attended, as well as playing AAU for Boo Williams. Which led me to continue my basketball career at the college level, playing division II for Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, NC.

I can help someone improve their basketball game in several ways by focusing on key aspects of their skills, mindset, and overall approach to the sport. Some key points that I like to focus on are; overall skill development (shooting, ball handling, passing, defense and footwork), game understanding and strategy (basketball IQ, spacing and positioning, playmaking) and mental toughness and focus; building confidence within each player helps develop a strong mindset, providing tips to improve focus during practice and games, ensuring the right decisions are made when under pressure and keeping composure under pressure.

Whether you're looking to be a better scorer, defender, or overall player, I’m here to provide the tools, drills, and support to help you get there.

A typical basketball training session is structured to help you improve key areas of your game, while also keeping things engaging and challenging.

I start off with a 10-15 warm up with dynamic stretching to loosen up the muscles, light dribbling and movement drills to get the body in motion. Then I will focus on ball handling to improve ball control, will incorporate different variations of dribbling that focus on hand coordination, versatility and navigation. Also implement speed and change of direction drills to help with explosive starts and sharp cuts while dribbling, simulating how to shift directions in a real game setting.

Then I would move on to shooting drills: form shooting; which focuses on perfecting the shooting form. Spot shooting; moving to different spots on the court, helps to become comfortable shooting from various angles. Game-situation shooting; off-dribble shots, catch and shoot and contests shots to simulate an actual game scenario. Lastly, free throws; focusing on consistency, form and routine.

That is just a summary for what a typical training day would look like, which is warm-up, skill work/conditioning and then a cool down. This is structured to keep the intensity high and help to improve both physically and mentally, the key is consistency!

The best coach I played for was my AAU coach, Brooke Parker. He was also my assistant coach all through out high school as well. He pushed me to my physical limits and developed me into an incredible athlete; and, in the same way, pushed me to my mental limits and developed me into an incredible person. Taught me how to be brave in the face of adversity, and how to use my hard times as fuel to become better and stronger.

Showing players and parents that I care is essential for building trust and fostering a positive environment in sports. Having open communication with regular updates and providing constructive feedback to players, encouraging them to share their thoughts and concerns. Creating a positive environment that ensure all players feel valued and included, regardless of their skill level. Showing respect to players and parents by setting a positive example for the sport and commitment. Also, encouraging participation by including parents to help with team activities as well as hosting parent meetings. By incorporating these strategies of mine, I plan to create a supportive and caring environment that benefits both players and their families, ultimately leading to a more successful and enjoyable sports experience.