Cassidy Trotter brings a winning and defensive mentality to Michigan Tech. (Photo submitted to Daily Mining Gazette)

HOUGHTON — It took just one visit to the Wood Gym for Cassidy Trotter to be enamored with the Michigan Tech women’s basketball program. 

“I remember just walking into the gym and they pointed to all the banners,” Trotter said. “You could tell it was a winning program, and coming from a winning program, I wanted to stay with that.”

Trotter will look to help continue Tech’s winning ways in her first year as a Husky. After all, she knows all about a winning tradition. She starred at Beaver Dam High School in Wisconsin where, this past season, she led her team to a 28-0 record and a Division 2 state championship. 

“It was probably the greatest memory of playing basketball,” Trotter said of winning a state title. “Not only the state title but being undefeated all the way until the end and not taking anything for granted. We just focused one game at a time and did our best at the little things.”

Trotter also left her own individual legacy at Beaver Dam. She finished as the school’s all-time leading scorer (1,128 points) and leader in steals (over 243). She also set the school record for most free throws made. 

“Those are just numbers, really,” Trotter said of the records. “I really don’t concern myself with them. It’s a nice achievement, but I look at the overall picture of winning games and being a team player. 

“It’s time for college now, and I have to try my best to get those steals now and do what I did in high school to try and carry it over to this team.”

It was Trotter’s defensive mentality and ability that put her on Michigan Tech’s radar. Her hard-nosed personality was also a natural fit for a program that prides itself on toughness.

“She’s an incredibly fierce defender and I think that’s what drew us to her in the recruiting process,” Tech coach Kim Cameron said. “And her toughness is what sets her apart from anybody else. And on top of that, she can score.”

While some players may find more joy in scoring points and exert more effort on the offensive end, Trotter is the complete opposite. Shutting down her opponent is one of the joys she finds in playing basketball.

“I take a lot of pride in not letting my player score,” she said. “Just always taking the initiative and not letting anybody be a playmaker with the ball. 

“If I see someone posting up, I’ll be there to help and make a play on the ball. I like to gamble, deny and try to get as many steals as I can and always be there for my teammates.”