Co-Captain Plays ​“Cheerleader,” Too

Although her team was down, Wilbur Cross senior guard Kiara Cabassa kept spirits high on the court with shouts of encouragement and reminders that the team must always stay together. 

That happened during the Lady Governors’ Monday night game against Foran High School. 

Cross took an early lead in Monday’s game, held at home, but Foran quickly caught up and stayed ahead for the reminder of the game. 

Eventually, Foran took the win — 65 to 37 — making it the Lady Governors’ 14th loss out of 15 games this season. 

Despite the loss, the young varsity team didn’t quit, thanks to motivation from one of the team’s captains, Kiara Cabassa. Throughout the season, Cabassa has kept spirits high and offered constant verbal encouragement to her teammates both on and off the court. 

Cabassa, who is number 4 on the court, attends Cross and has played basketball for the school for the past four years. Along the way she has learned the importance of being a leader and the biggest cheerleader for the team. 

She said although the team didn’t play to its highest potential Monday night, she reminded them that ​“mistakes happen.” 

“Sometimes we just don’t have the coordination we do every other day,” she added. 

When asked how she stays motivated herself when the team is struggling, she said, ​“It’s all about keeping my patience, humbleness ​’cause I do honestly get upset on the court, but I can’t relay that and give off that energy to my teammates.”

During each team huddle Cabassa leads her team in chants like ​“Together on three…one, two three…TOGETHER!” and ​“Cross on three…one, two, three…Cross…Pride on six…four, five, six…Pride!”

After Monday’s game, Cross coach Deborah McClease said the team’s energy lacked significantly during the game. ​“We were going through the motions and overthinking,” she said. 

She agreed the girls didn’t play to their full potential. 

“We’re taking our bumps, but we’re gonna keep getting back up,” McClease said.

When asked how she keeps her spirits high during games when the team is struggling, Cabassa said. ​“What keeps me motivated is seeing my teammate laugh, smile when they make a shot.” 

In the final two minutes of Monday’s second quarter Cabassa took a corner shot, one she’s been taking nearly every game but has missed in the past. But on Monday, she made the three pointer.

“It felt great to put points on the board,” she said. 

Cabassa’s strongest skill is defense; she is working on her shooting to further support her team. She has also improved by reaching less, as she has a history of fouling out of games.

The Lady Governors have three remaining games this season. Their second of three this week is an away game against Windsor High School at 5:30 p.m on Wednesday.