Stacey Cox ready to help lead Saxons on court
The memory is still fresh in Art Rojas’ mind.
Three years ago, his Ferris Saxons girls team was in a tight battle with Enumclaw in the 4A state basketball quarterfinals, when he had to go to the bench.
“With a few minutes to go, we had one of our top players foul out and we had another girl in foul trouble,” said the Saxon head coach. “We were in trouble – let’s just put it that way.
“I looked down the bench, and we needed free-throw shooting because we were ahead, and I had no problem putting her in. I remember listening to the tape of the game, and Bob Robertson was announcing.
“I just remember he said, ‘Rojas is going to his bench and he’s bringing in, let’s see what number is that, he’s bringing in Stacey Cox, a freshman. She hasn’t really played before. I’m not quite sure he wants to empty his bench right now, but he must have a reason.’
A good reason it turns out.
“We just knew we needed free throws, and it doesn’t get to her,” he said.
Ferris would go on to win the game, and Cox has continued to be an integral part of the Saxons success. Now a senior, Cox has fond memories of her teammates from that state tournament experience.
“Seeing how successful they were, and seeing how hard they worked, I could see what path they took and see what I needed to do to go on that same track to succeed at Ferris,” said Cox. “It helped a lot, definitely.”
That team included her older sister Kiley, whose one-on-one battles with her little sister helped forge the toughness Cox plays with today.
“To be honest, we could never play for more than 10 minutes because we’d both get so frustrated with each other,” Stacey said. “Growing up, it was tough to really play too much one-on-one for that long before we got too upset.
“It was awesome, though, once we finally got on the same team. It was unbelievable.
“I always knew where she was going to be, and we just had a really good connection.”
Cox, who led the Saxons in scoring last season averaging 14 points a game, has been called upon by Rojas to play every position on the floor during her career.
“She’s always been so hungry – that’s never changed in her,” said Rojas. “That’s the one constant and has helped her develop.
“What has made her versatile is that she has been willing to take on any role we’ve given her. With that group of Brynn Kelly, Jackie Albi and Angie Clift, she understood her role to be a defensive stopper.
“When they left, we were able to move her up to her natural position, the guard spot. She’s played everything from the point to power forward for us, and she’s been willing to do so.”
“It hasn’t been tough at all,” Cox said. “I love it. The more playing time, the better.
“It was definitely a challenge, but I loved it. It was so much fun, especially when I had to guard Brynn in practice. She was so strong and had so many little tricks that nobody else would see.
“I’ve picked up a lot of those and use them down low.”
After being a role player early in her career, Cox was called upon last year to lead a young Saxon team.
“When all of them left, it was so weird,” said Cox. “It was a completely different team.
“It was good for me. I had to completely step up as a leader. I knew what to do, though, because they had showed me the ropes.
“Meredith Lynn was on the team and she definitely helped me. She was awesome. We really connected last year.”
Cox had a good year also.
“Last year she averaged 94 percent from the free throw line, and it was a legitimate 94 percent,” said Rojas. “She shot over 100 free throws.
“She just has confidence in herself. I know you can’t coach it. She’s just always had it.
“She’s not the most athletic person in the world, but she gets every single thing she can out of herself,” he said.
“I want to step up as a leader and play as much as I can,” Cox said. “I really think our team is going to surprise people this year.
“We really have a good chance of going to state this year. Not many other people are going to say that, but I can see it.
“If we go to state, that would be amazing.”