A glimpse of one particularly gruesome photo posted in Cascade’s training room tells you a lot about Victoria Leander. The image presents a nasty black eye Leander suffered a few years ago when she smacked her head on the court after leaping for a jump ball. Leander, who also suffered a concussion and still has a scar from the incident, clearly doesn’t hold back: “I’m not afraid to go all out.”
Michael V. Martina / The Herald
Coach’s corner: Leander, a 5-foot-10 post and a two-year varsity contributor, plays aggressive defense, rebounds well and succeeds at the foul line, Cascade coach Dave Roberts said: “We’ve always been able to count on her (free-throw shooting). Vicky’s a great kid and she works hard.”
A different game: Leander’s first sport was soccer but she eventually got hooked on hoops. “It’s really different from any other sport that I’ve played,” she said of basketball. “It’s more fast-paced and I like the contact. It’s good to get out your aggression.”
Sports idols: Cascade alum Kristi Auckland, who averages 20.4 points and 7.5 rebounds for the Everett Community College women’s hoops team, and Whitney Hooks, a powerful Cascade senior who has won four state track and field titles (three in shot put and one in discus). In the spring Leander throws the discus alongside the Washington-bound Hooks, who gladly assists teammates. “She’s not one of those people that’s really cocky. She helps you learn,” Leander said.
Favorite pre-game beverage: Red Bull. Ads claim the energy drink gives you wings, and Leander jokingly agrees: “It gives me extra jumping!”
Dodge this: Leander recently played in a dodgeball tourney organized by Cascade’s sophomore class. Her team included fellow hoopers Jackie Owens and Alex Von Hoerschelmann, and Cascade coaches Roberts, Cory Michaelis and Andrew McNamar. “I had a lot of fun,” Leander said. “I would do it again.”
I wish I knew how to: Wakeboard. Leander loves to ride jet skis but so far she’s “chickened out” from chances to wakeboard – not that she avoids adventure. Last summer she and a passenger (Hooks) turned their jet ski into a wave and accidentally flipped it.
Prized possession: A key chain that says “Never drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.” It reminds Leander of her grandma, who passed away last year.
Favorite TV shows: The FOX animated comedy “Family Guy” and “Laguna Beach,” MTV’s (so-called) reality teen drama.
Pets: Leander has a new kitten, Angel, that strangely acts like a dog: “If you throw a ball, it retrieves it.”
First concert: The “American Idol” finalists show this past August at Everett Events Center. “It was a lot of fun being able to hear all the different singers and (their) styles,” said Leander, who was most excited to see Idol winner Carrie Underwood.
Mike Cane, Herald Writer
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