A core of talented returnees and promising young players gives the University of the Fraser Valley women's basketball program reason for optimism as it opens the 2021-22 Canada West schedule this weekend at home.

GAME SCHEDULE

• Friday, Oct. 29: Cascades vs. UBC Okanagan Heat, 6 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 30: Cascades vs. UNBC Timberwolves, 5 p.m.
• Location: UFV Athletic Centre
• Webcast: CanadaWest.tv presented by Co-op

EVENT INFORMATION

• Per provincial COVID-19 regulations, fans age 12 and over will be required to show proof of full vaccination to enter the UFV Athletic Centre, and masks must be worn at all times.
• UFV Athletics is offering free admission to fans for Friday's season opener. Tickets for Saturday's games, and the balance of the fall semester, will be discounted to $5 for adults, while school-aged students (and UFV students with student ID) will be admitted free.
• The Cascades women's basketball program is holding its annual Walk & Knock Halloween Food Drive to benefit the Archway Food Bank of Abbotsford, and fans are invited to bring non-perishable food items to the weekend games for donation.

SEASON OUTLOOK

The Cascades women's basketball team boasts a promising mix of high-end young talent and veteran seasoning as they look to make a deep playoff run in 2021-22.

Al Tuchscherer, who is in his 20th season as UFV's head coach, waved goodbye to all-time leading scorer Taylor Claggett – among others – from a squad which went 16-4 in 2019-20 and earned a first-round playoff win over Thompson Rivers before bowing out in the CW quarter-finals to the Alberta Pandas.

But a strong group of returnees and impactful rookie contributors showed their collective potential during the preseason, highlighted by a win over defending U SPORTS national champion Saskatchewan on Oct. 16.

"Our squad has a lot of youthful energy and along with that comes optimism and hope for a great season," Coach Tuchscherer said. "I think one of the things, particularly early, that's going to be an advantage for some teams is the experience and the veteran players they have. Even though we have a young roster, we do have players that have played a lot of basketball and have had a lot of different experiences in the game. I'm hoping that will serve us well."

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Senior guards Victoria Jacobse and Alexis Worrell give the Cascades some veteran savvy. Both players are extremely versatile and focused on winning, willing to do whatever it takes for the team to succeed.

"They've shown tremendous leadership throughout the COVID year, just keeping our team focused and dedicated to our mission," Tuchscherer said. "During COVID, we've tried to create a day-by-day approach where we enjoy being in the gym with each other, intentionally enjoying each other's company and the privilege of playing together. That's been a key thing for us, and Victoria and Lex have bought into it and led the way."

The Cascades' offensive spark will come from their trio of standout sophomores – guard/forward Deanna Tuchscherer, and guards Maddy Gobeil and Nikki Cabuco. All three made huge impacts on the squad in 2019-20 as rookies, and Tuchscherer was the Canada West rookie of the year after averaging 15.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Gobeil (8.8 points per game) and Cabuco (6.0 ppg) are both outstanding playmakers and perimeter shooters.

Deanna Tuchscherer and Gobeil also took a big step during the 2020-21 CW season which was cancelled due to COVID, playing professionally overseas – in Hungary and France, respectively.

"Our sophomores are going to lead us with regards to the intensity and the competitiveness that they bring," Coach Tuchscherer said. "They have the game to back that up on a consistent basis."

In the frontcourt, third-years Natalie Rathler, Madison Draayers and Madeline Beerwald are back to boost the Cascades. Rathler brings rugged defensive intensity, while Draayers and Beerwald infuse the squad with knockdown shooting.

Blue-chip rookie Julia Tuchscherer will also be a key contributor, and has played big minutes throughout the preseason while showing skill and maturity beyond her years.

Fellow first-years Esther Allison, Google Sidhu, Hannah Gillingham and Charley Arnold will look to make an impact off the bench.