Cassie Broadhead is averaging 18.4 points per game for the Cougars. (BYU Photo)
BYU guard Cassie Broadhead has found her stride for BYU women's basketball.
Heading into Saturday's game against St. Mary's, Broadhead has scored double-digits in 25 of 26 games and is leading the team in scoring with 18.4 points per game. She scored a career-high 30 points on Jan. 14 and was named the West Coast Conference Player of the Week on Feb. 13.
The junior from Glenville, New York, said she felt responsible for replacing some of the talent the Cougars lost to graduation last year.
'We lost great players, like Lexi with 30 (points) almost a game and Kylie who was (a floor) general.' Broadhead said. 'I knew I was going to have a huge role. I worked really hard. I put in a lot of hours and work during the offseason, because once the season comes, the time for preparation is over.'
Broadhead's presence on the court does more than put points on the scoreboard. Against San Diego, she grabbed seven rebounds and dished out six assists, proving she is a well-rounded team player.
As point guard, she knows her play directly affects her teammates.
'Sometimes I’m not aggressive enough,' Broadhead said. 'Because when I’m aggressive, people get open shots and we just have a better offense that flows better. I need to be aggressive, whether it’s me shooting or someone else shooting.'
Broadhead attributes her success this season to her coach and trainers, who helped increase her stamina and strength enough to average 38.7 minutes a game.
BYU coach Jeff Judkins didn't mince words about his guard's level of play.
'I think she's the best player in the league right now,' Judkins said after Broadhead's career night.
Judkins elaborated later, breaking down Broadhead's game.
'She's a really hard player to guard,' Judkins said. 'People don't realize. You know she can shoot it. She can drive it, create and get fouled. She's very crafty and she's a lot quicker than she looks and she's a lot stronger than she looks.'