Another Taal is in the fold

trevor.kenney — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:14:32 +0000

Coming off their first playoff appearance in eight seasons, the Pronghorns women's basketball team and head coach Donna Branch announced the first recruit for the 2010-11 Canada West season.

Her name and family are no strangers to Pronghorns fans as Cassidy Taal is set to join the Horns next season, following in her sister Lauren's footsteps. Cassidy and Lauren are second generation Pronghorns, as her mother and family have a long history with Pronghorn Athletics. Lynette Taal (Lilja) suited up for the Pronghorns from 1978 – 1983, and was named a CWUAA All-Star twice and Pronghorn Female Athlete of the Year in 1983. She sits tied for 14th on the Pronghorn all-time scoring list with 602 points. Lynette also served as an assistant coach with the Horns from 1990-99 and has recently returned to assist Branch.

The Lilja family was inducted into the Pronghorn Hall of Fame in 2002. Jack Lilja Sr., Cassidy's grandfather, coached the Horns Women's Basketball team for four seasons in the 1970s. Lynette's sisters both preceded her with the women's basketball team, Lorell playing 1973-77 and Leslie from 1974 through 1979, while brother Jack Jr. played both basketball and soccer for the Pronghorns.

Coming off a severe knee injury, Cassidy captained her LCI team this past season with the Clippers finishing third in the 4A South Zones, defeating Medicine Hat in the third place game and entering the provincial tournament ranked 10th. The five-foot-10 inch forward averaged 12.1 points per game during the Clippers' 12-4 season in the Southern Alberta High School Basketball League.

For more on the Pronghorns and their latest recruit, check out the Horns website.

UNews - Cassidy Taal

Another Taal is in the fold

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