Los Alamitos 6’1” center Kassidy Beach is taking her senior season by storm, improving her game in every area and increasing her per-game averages from a solid 8.3 points and 7.8 rebounds last season (good enough to make First-Team All-Surf-League) to an eye-opening per-game average of 11.4 points and 11.1 rebounds this season.
Beach’s athletic prowess and improvement were recently on full display in the Griffins’ stunning 57-53 upset victory over Mira Costa (11-2) in the championship game of the Santa Ana Elks Classic tournament at Segerstrom High on December 16. At that time, Mira Costa (11-2) was ranked No. 5 in the entire state by MaxPreps while Los Alamitos (12-4) was ranked No. 134.
Beach, who earned the tournament MVP award, dominated both ends of the court with 17 points, 10 rebounds, 7 blocked shots, 4 assists, and 2 steals and hit 3-out-of-4 game-clinching free throws in overtime to help lead the Griffins (12-4) to victory.
In addition to her championship game heroics, Beach has had several extraordinary performances against good teams, including 26 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks in a win over Calvary Chapel (8-5), 16 points and 15 rebounds in a close loss to Pacifica Christian (11-2), 10 points and 13 rebounds in a win against Capistrano Valley Christian (7-7), 17 points and 8 rebounds in the Valley Christian Tournament semi-final victory over Yorba Linda (6-5), 20 points and 16 rebounds in a victory over Segerstrom (10-3), and 18 points and 14 rebounds in a win over Corona (11-5)
On offense, Beach has improved her shooting, drives to the basket, and pick-and-roll scores off of the pass. She also has added to her efficient jump hook a variety of spins, quick footwork, and soft touches that make her a smoother scorer in the paint.
Last season when the Griffins went 20-10 and won the Surf League championship, Beach’s scoring largely came from occasional jump hooks, offensive rebound putbacks, and free throws, but this year Coach Maya DeAnda is calling her number on a variety of plays, and she is responding with big buckets.
On defense, she patrols the paint with a quick agility that makes opposing guards hesitant to drive to the basket for fear of getting their shots blocked, but perhaps more importantly, Beach has become adept at guarding opposing players without fouling, which had been a problem area in the past, often causing her to spend too much time on the bench to avoid fouling out.
Beach also showed her athleticism in another sport this fall, being named the MVP of the Los Al flag football team, while still making it to almost all of the fall preseason basketball practices.
“Kassidy has improved every year, but the improvement from her junior to senior season is truly impressive,” said Coach DeAnda. “I think this is largely because of her dedication to practices, her hard work in the offseason, and her maturity as a four-year starter. Obviously, we are very happy to have her on the team, and I think that she will have much success playing at the next level.”
After talking to several colleges and universities, Beach recently made a verbal commitment to play NAIA basketball at Westcliff University in Irvine, where, no doubt, she will continue to improve her game.
