Cassie Harberts Emerges Stronger Than Ever Despite USC's Miserable Season

Two seasons ago, Southern California’s women’s basketball team came within one win from claiming a WNIT championship.

Only two players remain from that team: Cassie Harberts and Christina Marinacci.

Fast forward more than three years later, and the Women of Troy are struggling mightily. Harberts is far and away the team’s best player, but USC cannot buy a win.

Despite the massive frustrations of a 9-19 season, the long, difficult journey has enabled Harberts to take immense strides in her development as a player and person. The team has relied upon the 6-foot-2 junior much more heavily than anticipated, and the experience has made her stronger than ever.

When Michael Cooper was named USC’s head basketball coach on May 1, 2009, he quickly set his sights on securing Harberts’ presence on his new team. As a high school junior, Harberts had originally committed to USC earlier that spring, but decided to re-open her commitment after Mark Trakh, USC’s former coach, resigned. Read more >>

No. 4 Duke Too Much for the Women of Troy, Wins 75-60

The No. 4 Duke Blue Devils handed the Southern California Women of Troy their fifth consecutive loss, as Duke improved to a perfect 10-0.

USC’s last lead of the game (7-5) came early in the first half, but the Women of Troy hung with the talented Blue Devils for much of the game.

“I thought we played extremely well against the No. 4 team in the country,” said USC coach Michael Cooper, who returned from a one-game suspension.

“One of our biggest nemeses has been our effort and our physicality down low, but these two young ladies (forwards Kate Oliver and Alexyz Vaioletama) came and took on the second best center in the country (Elizabeth Williams). Read more >>