Callie Delp Is Zillah’s Playmaker
Photo credit: S. Carter Action Images
2019 Zillah (Wash.) point guard Callie Delp is a go to threat for one of the state's most dangerous 1A teams.
Right now her team is 2-0, although Delp is far from satisfied with where they're at.
"Our first game against Ellensburg was a little shaky," Delp said. "We're very young, but we do return seven players."
This may be the least star power the Zillah Girls basketball team has had in many years.
Although many of them got in-game experience last year, there's still seven freshman and sophomores that litter the roster.
It's a situation that's forced Delp to elevate her game, and also take on more of a leadership role.
"I've been kind of put in that situation the last couple years," Delp said. "Last year I was with a great group of seniors, and they really taught me about leading a team."
Delp is going into her fourth season as a featured player on varsity.
During that span she's gone to the state playoffs every single year. Although this season may be her biggest challenge yet.
The last name Delp holds a lot of weight in the Zillah community.
She has two brother's in older Trey Delp, and younger Claysen Delp. Trey was a franchise player during his four years at Zillah, while freshman Claysen is just starting his tenure.
Between the three siblings, there's a combined seven All League awards and eight state appearances.
"I'd like to think I'm chasing Trey," Delp said. "He got his 1,000 and he got championships."
Callie Delp is currently 147 points away from getting her 1K. The trophy is still to be determined.
While the Zillah Girls basketball team is highly feared across the state, they're not expected to completely blow away the regular season.
Two games that stand out is their rivalry game against La Salle, and their Sundome Shootout matchup against Hailey Van Lith and Cashmere.
Every year, Delp says she enjoys matching up against perhaps the best 2020 point guard in the country Hailey Van Lith.
"You always see her all over Twitter and Instagram," Delp said. "It's really cool to see how you matchup with her."
The trait that stands out the most about Delp's game is her tenacious scoring ability. It doesn't matter who she's matched up against, she's going to attack every time.
Ever since Delp was young, it's always been a dream of hers play college basketball.
Her college recruiting took a big blow this past summer when her appendix blew up. This forced surgery, and she had to miss most of summer basketball.
Although her resume still speaks for itself. She's already drawn her first offer from division II Evergreen State college.
Delp has also been in talks with several NWAC and division III schools in the region.
"I've been working hard my whole life to play at the next level," Delp said.
Following this season, she intends on sending her film out to as many different colleges as possible.
But for now she's focused on her number one goal, which is bringing a state title to Zillah. It's something the girls basketball team hasn't done in over 15 years.
The pieces are absolutely there to make it happen. Guards Holly Ziegler and EmmaLee Nishi have emerged as big time players.
Slowly but surely this team is finding their identity.
Delp and Zillah Girls basketball is a team you'll want to catch every Tuesday and Saturday.
“This is the culture at Zillah,” Delp said. “We're expected to win state, we're expected to win games, and be high competitors.”