Waukegan’s Alliaya Cade doesn’t need much time to adjust to new situations.
The 5-foot-7 point guard said she started to feel comfortable on the varsity level by the third game of her freshman season a year ago, and she averaged 10.9 points.
“It’s a natural thing for me, maybe because I’m the only girl out of three brothers,” Cade said. “They had a hard time picking things up. But with me, I just catch on quickly with everything.
“My personality is happy and calm, so that helped.”
Cade has caught on quickly again this season. She’s averaging 15.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 6.8 steals for the Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1) following their North Suburban Conference win against Zion-Benton on Friday.
Cade and junior forward Hadassah Brown, who is averaging 22.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 5.8 steals and is also a standout volleyball player, form a strong duo on the court. Brown said Cade has impressed her.
“Seeing her growing as a point guard is truly amazing,” Brown said. “She attacks everything on the court, calling out plays, adjusting defensively and offensively. I can’t wait to see her expand her game.”
Cade credited her three older brothers, including Waukegan basketball player Yashir “DJ” Cole, for preparing her for this.
“I learned about aggression from my brothers,” Cade said. “They made me tough on defense, being low, and they taught me how to shoot and be aggressive at all times. I learned so much from them.”
Cade, who also plays flag football, had 14 points, eight steals, three assists and just one turnover against Zion-Benton, showing she can take care of the ball.
“Alliaya has improved on her ballhandling and using her left hand,” Waukegan coach Kanisha Pettis said. “She has also become a better leader on the floor and an awesome on-ball defender.
“She was thrown into the fire last season. She had a lot to learn. She’s improved so much since last season.”
Cade was one of the positives for the Bulldogs last season, when they won just seven games, and Pettis implored her to push herself in the offseason. Cade suffered a knee injury during the summer, which sidelined her for a brief period.
“I worked on my left hand a lot,” Cade said. “I feel way more confident than last year with my left hand. It’s now my comfortable hand. I’m executing plays, staying disciplined on defense, and speaking up and being a leader.”
Cade started the season with 20 points in an overtime win against Willow Academy, scored 20 points again in a blowout win against Harvard and had nine points in a conference loss to Mundelein.
“She will only get better if she improves her jump shot and continues to work on her ballhandling,” Pettis said. “She’s been working really hard, and she can be dominant.”
Cade said the Bulldogs, like herself, are aiming to continue their upward ascent this season despite a typically tough conference schedule.
“I’m excited to see where we go,” she said. “We have some new players this year. We’re always staying together, our bond is strong and the coaches have our backs. We have a lot of potential.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
