There's not much Eastern Tech guard Cassie Anderson cannot do on the basketball court. Averaging a double double (17 points and 12 rebounds) for the 12-4 Mavericks, the junior also averages four steals and two assists. She followed her older siblings - Ashley, 20, and Brian, 19 - into basketball, a sport her father, Bill Anderson, has coached at the youth level for years. Enrolled in the allied health program at Eastern Tech, she is considering a career in nursing or veterinary medicine. Two years ago, Anderson and her family escaped a fire that burned down their house. Although she doesn't like to talk about the details of the fire, which killed her dog, she said the family has recovered and is doing well.

Why did you start playing basketball?

My whole family's in basketball. My dad was my coach. I started real young and he's been my coach my whole life until high school. My dad still coaches me for [Amateur Athletic Union], though. I play for different teams and my dad coaches me.

Has your whole family always been into sports?

Everybody plays basketball. My mom's never played basketball, but she's like our cheerleader.

What's your earliest memory of basketball?

I've played up an age group ever since I was younger, because I always wanted to play with my sister or on my father's team. I remember the ball was so much bigger than me and I'd have to throw it from between my legs to get it up there.

Are you really competitive with your siblings?

Oh yeah. My sister, not really, but me and my brother would go at it all the time. I'd want to keep playing until I won. I wouldn't stop until I physically won or we had to go in because we couldn't see anymore.

What position do you usually play?

I'm usually a three [guard-small forward], but we've had a bunch of injuries lately, so I've played every [position] so far.

Your coach said you had to play point guard for a while. How was that transition?

Our point guard hurt her ankle, so that's when I stepped in. ... [Moving from] three to one, it's basically the same position, but one, you're looking more to push the ball, where three, you're looking to run down [the court]. What's your favorite position to play?

I like playing them all. I don't really have a favorite.

How do you think being from an athletic family has helped you as a high school athlete?

They push me. They want the best for me, so they push me to do better. If I had a bad game, someone would go outside with me after my game at my house and shoot around with me until I get it down or they work with me on dribbling or something. They're just there for me. How has the experience of the fire changed you?

It's definitely made me more aware of how valuable life is. Do you see things differently?

I definitely see things differently. People say I don't take things for granted, but after something traumatic happens, then you look back and think this could have happened or that could have happened. I do feel like we were lucky.

If you had one wish guaranteed to come true, what would you wish for?

My whole family to be happy. (Pauses.) I think they are.