The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

When Cassidy Edwards' basketball teammates finish practice, their thoughts turn to homework, dinner, down-time or a social activity. But for Edwards, she quickly changes from basketball attire to softball apparel.

Such is the life of a two-sport college athlete. Edwards is starting shooting guard on the Clackamas Community College women's basketball team and is expected to be a starter on the Cougars' softball team.

To say she is pulling "double duty" might be an understatement.

"I give up a lot of free time and won't really have an off season," said Edwards, a standout in both sports at Sisters High School last year. "It's become just what I am used to ... the routine. I'm used to multiple practices now."

Edwards said the adjustment from high school to college was a bit difficult in the fall as she had daily doubles for two straight weeks.

"My endurance wasn't where it should have been and practicing softball, then practicing basketball the same day really took its toll on my legs."

A daily routine for Edwards was attend morning classes, grab lunch (sometimes literally on the run), lift weights 2 to 3 p.m., practice softball 3 to 4 p.m., and from there go straight to a two-hour basketball practice. That was followed by an ice bath, then dinner and homework.

And the same routine again the next day.

"But I'm not worried about losing free time," said Edwards. "I'm surrounded by athletes in both sports who love what they do."

Clackamas basketball co-head coach Kayla Steen said she is pleased with Edwards both on and off the court.

"Playing one sport in college is difficult enough, but playing two takes a lot of commitment and focus," said Steen. "Academics come first and foremost, so we, as coaches, work together with the athlete to make sure they keep up on their academics. Cassidy doesn't need a lot of extra study hall. She's a good kid and does well in the classroom."

An A student in high school, Edwards earned a 3.5 grade point average her first term at CCC.

"Cassidy is a hard worker and intelligent, but we have to make sure the athlete gets time for both sports, but also keeping the sanity of the athlete in mind," said Steen. "It definitely takes a strong-willed person to compete in both sports, and time management is critical."

That schedule has lightened up a bit as her focus is on basketball. The Cougars play games two nights each week with practices on three days. She practices softball twice a week until the roundball season concludes, then it's straight to softball.

With Edwards averaging eight points and 4.5 rebounds per game, the Cougars are in playoff hunt with an overall 15-4 record and one game behind South Conference leaders Lane and South Umpqua.

Edwards, who averaged 16 points per game for the Outlaws as a senior, said she wasn't expecting to see a lot of playing time as a college freshman, but is pleased with the way the season is going.

"Well, the first game rolled around and I was in the starting lineup. It was a bit nerve-wracking at first as I wasn't expecting it, but it sure is fun playing with girls who give 100 percent all of the time," said Edwards, who rooms with former Outlaws volleyball player Megan Minke.

Edwards said her best game was against Umpqua in the pre-league Thanksgiving tournament when she scored 15 points and scored the game-winning basket. In another game she scored 16 points.

"The season is going well," she said. "We start the second half this week and are sitting pretty in second place."

Edwards said the biggest adjustment is finding the time for "extra time" workouts.

"It's not just practicing every day, but finding the time to get in the gym an extra hour before or after practice and getting all the extra shots I need," said Edwards. "The competition is so much better than high school."

Her next goal is to work on her ballhandling.

"I want to be a leader on the floor. It's something I've always held for myself. To do that, I need to improve my ballhandling."

When the Cougar basketball season ends, likely the first weekend of March with the NWAACC playoffs, Edwards' focus will shift directly to softball, which scrimmages Eastern Oregon University on February 7.

An all-league pitcher at both Sisters and Redmond high schools in high school, Edwards played shortstop, second base and pitched during the fall season. Despite her two-sport schedule, she played in all of CCC's fall softball games.

"I did well," said Edwards. "My hitting was good and I did alright pitching, but my legs were tired from the daily two-sport practices."

Asked if she plans to play both sports at a four-year school when she earns her transfer degree from CCC, Edwards said, "I've been asked that question a lot lately and really don't know what I am going to do ... I still haven't even had a softball season. I'll see how it goes. I'd hate to give up one sport, but it is a lot of work."

But Edwards quickly adds, "I wouldn't have it any other way. It's worth it."