HIGHLAND — The reasons are difficult to pinpoint precisely.

But ever since Cassi Siska started playing basketball, defense has come naturally to her, and she has had a passion for it.

“I’ve always liked it — defense is by far my favorite part of the game,” the Highland senior point guard said. “I’m like the opposite of most people who play basketball. But since I can remember, I’ve always been excited to play defense.

“You have to have the right attitude. You need to be aware of the whole court, not just your player. You need help-side; you can’t just focus on one person.”

Still, Siska typically matches up against the opponent’s top offensive player, something she views as a challenge. She led the Trojans last season with 3.3 steals per game, more than double any of her teammates.

“She’s our best defender,” Highland coach Mike Urban said. “We put a lot on her, and she does it.”

If it seems as if Siska has been around for a while, she has.

After playing on the junior varsity with limited varsity time as a freshman, she enters her third season in a starting role. She first made a splash as a sophomore, helping the Trojans reach their third straight semistate.

Siska has improved each season, with a reputation as a hard worker in practice and in the offseason. This season she will be asked to continue to develop her offensive game and increase her production.

After averaging 2.7 points as a sophomore, she doubled her scoring average to 5.4 last season, one of six players on a balanced team to average between 5.4 and a team-leading 8.5 points.

“We’re looking for a little more out of me,” said Siska, who had a busy summer with her AAU team. “They (the coaches) don’t want me to go crazy, but when I’m open, they want me to take the shot.”

Siska also averaged a team-high 3.0 assists last season in a team-high 25.6 minutes per game, to go along with 3.9 rebounds.

“She brings a lot of leadership,” Urban said. “She’s really become a true point guard, running the offense as our main ballhandler. She has a good feel for the game.”