Player Profile: Cassidy Sadler (Dillsburg, PA)

April 05, 2023

Player Profile: Cassidy Sadler (Dillsburg, PA)

Name: Cassidy Sadler

Hometown: Dillsburg, Pennsylvania

Height: 5-7

Position: Point Guard/Shooting Guard

High School: Northern (PA)

Graduation Class: 2024

AAU Club: York Thunder

GPA: 4.0

Status: Committed - Juniata College (1/17/24)

DILLSBURG, PA -- Cassidy Sadler is a 5-7 Point Guard from Dillsburg, Pennsylvania. She's currently a junior at Northern High School, and runs with the York Thunder on the AAU circuit. Sadler is one of the more efficient players in the Mid-Penn conference, who averaged 12.4 points per game, while collecting 129 rebounds, 53 steals and 37 assists to earn PennLive's Stock Riser of the Year award, Big15 honors and push Northern to a 21-5 record in her junior season

We all know how it feels to be "slept on", or left out of conversations as athletes. Seeing Sadler go to work since last summer, she's more than deserving of attention. She's a skilled shooter from deep, can create her own shot off the dribble and does well in a team setting through unselfish play. Add on to the fact that she's a great student in the classroom, someone who prides themselves in community work and is very family oriented, what more could you ask for as a college coach? Sadler puts others above herself as that's what the Northern community is about.

Stepping into Northern territory these past few months, the community is very supportive of one another. From sporting events with the crowds, how one another treats each other and the hospitality I've been shown as an outsider, Northern High School is very generous of the little things within the community. To even further my take, the school has some of the toughest athletes that don't get talked about enough. From how they operate in a team setting, the skilled individuals throughout different areas or those kids who don't take "crap" from anybody, Northern prides themselves on being competitive.

But, now it's time to see it from Sadler's perspective.

I caught up with the 2024 prospect on her junior campaign, a breakdown of her game and preparation heading into the last chapter.

Cassidy Sadler Breakdown

Strengths:

Ability to score at all three levels

"I have had many offensive threats at the RPN, but Sadler's game is pure poetry. She's a high level shooter from deep, can score off the dribble, but can also keep defenses guessing in the one-on-one game. Sadler's IQ is above and beyond as a basketball player. Hands down one of the better talents in York County."

Floor General

"If I'm a coach, I would trust Sadler to run the show. She has an understanding of running plays through, directing traffic and has a solid handle at her age. Sadler's a very good off-ball player as well, but she has shown that she's more than capable of playing point at the next level."

High Level Shooter

"One of the best traits I've seen in her game, you can count on Sadler to dial it up from deep. It's important to point out that she stays disciplined in her mechanics. Knowing how to work off of screens, footwork off the catch, and going straight up-and-down in her form. Sadler's shot creation ability is impressive for a prospect."

Leadership Qualities

"They say leaders are born, while others say they're developed. Can both be true? Maybe in Sadler's case. This past winter, Sadler volunteered as a buddy in the ski racing event in the 'Area M' Special Olympics. I know that has nothing to do with basketball, but Sadler has one of the biggest hearts that you can find in the world. You won't miss out on a recruit that emphasizes leadership as a person."

Transition Game

"People think Sadler can only shoot, but it can get pretty wicked in transition. Sadler displays a good showing of getting downhill on the break. Whether it's going at top speed to attack on the break, or running the floor to set up a teammate, she relies on playing off her reads to make a smart play. Very smart player!"

Improvements:

Defensive IQ

"I challenge every prospect to become better defenders year in and year out. From the physical aspect of sliding your feet and hand placement to the mental of having a sharper perspective, you have to be able to defend if you want to play this sport. Sadler does a good job of knowing where to be at sometimes, but I want to challenge her in getting mean on the defensive end. Knowing your limits with who you're guarding, but working on getting more five second counts, deflections and communicating on that end. This will only make her better before hitting a college floor."

Getting more creative on offense

"The benefits that come with receiving attention is everybody knows you now. Let's backtrack and dissect that sentence down: Everybody knows you now. At this stage of her career, Sadler will have to keep defenses second guessing. Getting more creative on offense should be her biggest improvement this offseason. Not just settling for jumpers all the time, but instead adding more combo moves into a finish, a floater off of two feet or even ways to deal with being face guarded. Senior year is here for a reason, and how she approaches it will determine the future."

Trusting your teammates

"Another goal I have for players is trusting your teammates. No matter what sport you play or what school you go to, acting and playing as a team gets it done at the end of the day. Northern shocked a lot of people this year, and faced a lot of challenges at the end of the season. How do you respond heading into the next year? As a senior leader, Sadler will need to be more vocal than ever, while leading by example. She understands that she's a key part to her team, and a factor in why they made school history this past season. If Sadler can continue her play, while uplifting her teammates, the Polar Bears can have a great 2024 season."

Cassidy Sadler Interview

When did you first start playing basketball?

"I started playing for the YMCA in second grade. My second grade teacher was the assistant coach for the high school, and she invited two or three girls from her class to be the water girls. I looked up to the girls on the team, and that’s where my love for the game began."

Describe your game from the skill standpoint?

"Overall, I am a well rounded player. I have gained a range from beyond the three point line. I can play positions from the 1 through 4 if needed. I have a strong handle on the ball, and put up a fight to finish at the basket. My free throw percentage has improved, and I am now consistently shooting from the line. There is definitely a lot to work on from the skill standpoint, but I’m willing to put in the time to get better."

How was life growing up in Dillsburg?

"I went to the smallest, and most rural elementary school in the district. There was about 15 kids in each class, and we only had two teachers for each grade. I played tee ball, basketball and soccer for Dillsburg's club teams. Going into middle school, I had already known a lot of people from sports and the various other things I was involved in. Dillsburg is such a close knit community that everyone knows one another. It's awesome to see the community come together to support each other."

How was your junior season?

“My junior season has been my most successful yet. At the start of the season, I was voted MVP at our tip off tournament. I gained a lot of confidence coming off of a great AAU season, and just rolled with it. I was nominated to be voted on as player of the week several times. I more than doubled my total points from last year. This season I was able to work on certain skills I normally would not do in a game against tougher competition.”

“We came into this season with no expectations.” She continued. “We had just lost our head coach and were faced with a lot of adversity. I’m super proud of the team for being able to finish the regular season as Mid-Penn Colonial division co-champions. We also made school history by playing in a District 3 semifinal, and first round of the state playoffs. Everyone had a role on the team and positively impacted the season.”

You’re still at a very early stage of your career. What kinds of things are you doing to make yourself the best player you can be?

"I have AAU practice twice a week with the York Thunder. We work on a lot of the little things, and how to improve our game. Over the weekends or in my extra time, I work out with Unleashed Potential. Coach Joe Stasyszyn is awesome, and I love getting it in with him. We work on being consistent, and doing a variety of game-like drills. When I’m not doing 1-on-1 work with Coach S, I join group sessions at Unleashed. To become the best player I can be, I have to put in unrequired work at 110%."

Who's your favorite basketball player and why?

"My favorite basketball player is Elena Delle Donne. She is from Wilmington, Delaware, which is close to the same area a lot of my family is from. She is a good female role model, and has accomplished so much."

Who would you consider to be your role models?

"I would consider my brother, Glenn to be one of the biggest role models in my life. He's committed to Misericordia for football next year. With him being only a year older than me, we experience a lot of the same things. He is super passionate about everything he does, which is something I admire and strive to do. My other biggest role models are my parents. Both served in the Army. My mom flew helicopters, while my dad worked in the artillery field. They exemplify the true meaning of leaders. From their impact, I want to join the military after college. More specifically I want to join the Air Force."

As you’re now at the age where you’re starting to look for college opportunities, what do you ideally look for in a college?

"Right now I’m open to a lot of different options. I want to be apart of a program that’s encouraging and competitive. I’m looking for a team that has good chemistry, and a good culture. Academically, I’m looking for a school with a good business major as well as potentially an ROTC program."

What are your expectations heading into senior year?

"Individually, my expectations for the last chapter are mainly to play with heart and have fun. I expect to have visited a few colleges and narrowed down my options. Team wise, I want to win the division and put another year on the banner as well as make it further into state playoffs. My senior year goals are to maintain above a 4.0 and achieve distinguished honor role all four marking periods."

Thank you Cass for taking the time to talk with me this morning. Do you have any words of encouragement or motivation for people? Any last words?

"Thank you for the opportunity! I would just encourage the younger girls to stick with the game. I know what it’s like to be in your shoes. You just have to put in the work and the results will come."