Cassidy Rowe is not afraid of what might lie ahead at UK

Rowe is the team leader in taking charges. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Kentucky freshman guard Cassidy Rowe knows this likely will be a learning season for her and probably will have some rough times as she adjusts to playing in the Southeastern Conference.

However, she’s not afraid of what might lie ahead.

“There is not anything I am fearing because this (playing at UK) is my dream and I have worked my whole life for this,” the former Shelby Valley High School star said at UK’s Media Day Wednesday. “It is more exciting (than scary). I have been through so much (two knee surgeries, broken wrist) that anything that happens I should be able to overcome it and get through it.”

Like most college freshmen, she says the pace of the game has been a “big difference because the girls are so much faster” and she could not appreciate that until she got to UK.

However, Rowe has adjusted quickly to knowing what she can do to enhance her chances of playing more. A prolific scorer in high school, she has become the team leader in taking charges despite her small stature.

Coach Kyra Elzy created a point system in practice to measure performance that rewards taking charges and rebounds more than scoring. Elzy said Wednesday that Rowe has taken more charges than any placer in practice.

“Let me tell you she has changed the way (the team) views points. The last two challenges she has won for taking charges in practice,” the UK coach said.

“I have always been one to take a charge because I am undersized, especially with these girls,” Rowe said. “I have got to find things to help me get on the court. I am not going to block shots. I am going to slide over and take that charge and encourage other girls to do that.”

She does a lot and always has. She averaged 16.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game as a senior when she made 68 3-pointers. She set a school career assists record with 674 and finished her career with 1,544 points also along with 434 rebounds, 305 steals and 250 3-pointers.

She likes the chemistry on UK’s team and said hanging out together off the court all summer playing board games, bowling and doing other things helped immensely.

“There was never anything negative,” she said.

She also says sophomore Jada Walker has been a “great example and leader” for her as she tries to be more vocal like Elzy wants.

Rowe played for her father, Lonnie, at Shelby Valley. She admits it has been “different” being coached by someone else now.

“After every practice I still talk to him. I can tell he misses coaching,” she said.  “Being coachable is one of the main things you have to do to be a college player. Coach Elzy is an amazing coach and I am thankful I get to play under her.”