Senior Francesca Buda has reached a historic milestone, recording 400 career assists and setting a new school record.
Buda, who has played basketball since the fourth grade, has dedicated herself to perfecting her passing skills. “I’m not a scoring threat, so being able to accomplish something like this and help my team out is rewarding,” she reflects.
An assist is a pass that leads directly to a basket, allowing a teammate to score with little to no dribbling. For Buda, reaching 400 assists highlights the importance of passing in the game and her commitment to making her teammates successful. Rather than focusing on taking shots herself, she prides herself on setting up scoring opportunities for others, ensuring the team works together to win.
This milestone is a testament to Buda’s unselfish play and relentless work ethic. “I reached this goal through hard work and determination,” she says with conviction. “It felt really special to reach this milestone in front of our home crowd.”
Despite the individual achievement, Buda credits her teammates and coaching staff for their role in her success. “I credit my team because they make their shots,” she acknowledges. She also highlights the efforts of her team’s manager, Isabella Valencia, for tracking her statistics and her coach for keeping records of her assists throughout the seasons.
Buda’s head coach, Mike Ryan, recognizes her vital role in the team’s success. “In order to have a successful team, players need to understand their roles. Nobody understands this more than Ces Buda,” Ryan states. “Her job is to guard the best player on the other team, which is not an easy task, and distribute the ball on offense.”
Ryan commends Buda’s relentless energy and leadership on the court. “Ces plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. Her motor never shuts down, and she always finds the open player on offense, giving us the best opportunity to score. She is the ultimate team player and has been a pleasure to coach for the past four years.”
Buda’s record-breaking achievement solidifies her in the school record books!
