Nansemond River High School’s Cassidy Simmons was voted Duke Automotive-Suffolk News-Herald Player of the Week after two impressive games against Menchville and Warwick high schools to help her team clinch the Conference 10 regular season championship.

Simmons is a senior at Nansemond River and is enjoying a productive basketball season. She is a part of a Lady Warriors team that is the Conference 10 regular season champions and is currently preparing for regionals.

Nansemond River became conference champs when they defeated Menchville and Warwick High School during the last week of the regular season. In the game against Menchville, Simmons had 15 points and grabbed 13 rebounds. Two days later against Warwick, she had 15 points, five assists and five rebounds, clinching the win. During the regular season, Nansemond River went undefeated in conference play.

“I didn’t have anything on my mind other than a conference championship,” Simmons said about her performances. “We went undefeated in the conference this year and didn’t have to share the title this year. That was another goal we wanted to accomplish, and I made sure I did my part in getting us there.”

Though her senior season is not over yet, Simmons feels accomplished to this point in the season. She set goals for herself that she has reached. One of her goals was to be a 10- to 12-point per game scorer which she was. She also wanted to make first team all-conference, which she also did. Along with those two goals, she also wanted to improve as a leader for her team.

“My senior year has been nothing but great so far,” Simmons said. “I have accomplished a lot of the things I set out to do. We were on a mission this year, and I’m proud of my team because we felt we were underestimated this year.”

Each of her four years of high school basketball at Nansemond River, Simmons has been a team captain. That responsibility has helped her become more vocal and responsible helping her gain the respect of her teammates. Simmons describes herself as a hard worker and a determined basketball player or even “scrappy” to a degree.

“I can agree with the scrappy description,” Simmons said. “I am everywhere, and I have no problem getting on the floor and jumping to get rebounds.”

Simmons loves the feeling of being out on the court, which motivates her to compete every chance she gets. It is fun to her, and with that mindset, she plays every game as if it were her last. Her mother and godmother play a big part in inspiring the senior.

“They both work so hard to support me to the fullest extent,” Simmons said of her family. “My mom has not missed a game since I started playing when I was 8. My godmom is always about winning every day in everything that I do. Having that mindset and mentality around me makes me want to work harder.”

Simmons is currently receiving interest from colleges to play at the next level. Wherever she decides to play, she wants to major in psychology. It is very important to the Lady Warrior to be a student-athlete, because it helps her to manage her time so that she can be successful on and off the court.

In her spare time, Simmons likes to sleep or hang with friends. Catch Simmons and the Lady Warriors in action against Salem on Monday in regional play.