Savannah Reinke is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Cactus Shadows High School for AZPreps365.com.

It starts with a ball, a hoop and an opportunity. 

At Cactus Shadows High School, the opportunity has grown bigger than a game. Through girls basketball and a growing connection with the community, Cactus Shadows is investing in the future of girls sports.

The community welcomed Marcello Santelli as girls basketball coach in 2025. Santelli came into the program having played three seasons overseas in Milan, earned a Division I state championship, and two Valley Coach of the Year honors within five years of coaching at Ridgeline Academy and Millennium High School. When he arrived in the Cave Creek community, he saw a gold mine.

“I saw a lot of potential, but untapped potential,” Santelli said. “I saw a lot of people, who kind of held the truth from them. Not teach them the sense of urgency about if you put yourself out there and you step out of your comfort zone, you can actually achieve, really, a lot of things.” Coach Marcello Santelli instructs his team during a timeout. (Photo courtesy of Katie Spinelli/@SpinSnaps)Santelli pushed past comfort. The team's motto, “Culture of Excellence” leans into that philosophy. Whether they are a starter, reserve, assistant coach, or team manager, they all represent the brand, Cactus Shadows girls basketball, in the same way. However, that was not the original motto. 

”I used culture,” Santelli said, “This is our culture, this is what we do. This is how we breathe. This is how we speak. This is how we talk. This is how we communicate with our teammates. But then I was like, you know what, that's so branded, so broad. I want a culture of excellence.”

The culture is paying off. Last season, the team finished 18-6 overall, second in the 5A Desert Sky Region, and advanced to the Elite Eight in the 4A state tournament. 

“Know that being on this team is hard work,” junior Tessa Rhude said. “After I leave, I think people are gonna want to come to Cactus Shadows knowing that this is what the program is. It is hard work. We do all this extra stuff on top of what is normal for most teams.”

For Santelli, that commitment extends beyond wins and losses. 

“A lot of these girls now have an advocate,” Santellini said. “Do you love the game? Are you passionate? OK, I'm gonna help you continue working. I think that's very important for a young lady because the window is smaller for women. It's bigger for men.”

The Falcons are trying to expand the window for girls. Santelli grew up around Italian basketball culture, with himself and his father playing overseas. Alongside his Italian mother, Santelli found one thing throughout: community service. When looking at their own community, the team identified a challenge: access.

“Everywhere else in the world, you just need a ball. Here, you have to pay,” Santellini said.

In December 2025, the team strove to eliminate that barrier, hosting their first Future is Female girls basketball camp. The free camp provides a space for girls ages 4 to 14 to interact with the team while learning the fundamentals of the game. Cactus Shadows campers, players, and coaches gather together for a group photo at the Future is Female girls'basketball camp. (Courtesy of Katie Spinelli/@SpinSnaps)

For sophomore Mary Mullenmeister, serving as a role model is one of the most rewarding parts.

“When I was younger, I think I really looked up to my role models,” Mullenmeister said. “I went to a lot of games and watched games on TV with my dad, and I knew that was something I wanted to do. I think it motivated me to be the player I am today… I love how when we're with them, we remember that it's just a sport to have fun, and that's amazing.”

Parent Deana Ulrich has watched the impact of the camp on her 11-year-old daughter, Alivia, who has attended the past two camps. She notes this is new to the community and looks forward to seeing her daughters' “no fear” and excitement when around the basketball team. Alivia Ulrich participates in a dribbling drill during the Future is Female Camp. (Courtesy of Katie Spinelli/@SpinSnaps)

“It gives the girls a sense of how it could be,” Ulrich said. “It gives them someone to look up to and know that they are in the community, seeing how hard they work. It’s not somebody they will never run into again. It's somebody they get to watch.”

Santelli believes this benefits both campers and players. 

“I'm a big proponent of community as everything,” Santelli said. “What I've always wanted to create in my program is giving my girls a sense of purpose, a sense of identity. That you're not just a female basketball player. You're a young lady who happens to play basketball.”

Rhude has enjoyed seeing her passion being shared for the game.

“I like being there and seeing what's coming,” Rhude said. “It’s just exciting seeing that there's people who just truly love basketball."

During the camp, attendees go through shooting and dribbling drills, receive an opportunity for autographed photos from the players, and a shirt to go home with. The impact extends far beyond the day. Campers participate in a "knockout" dribbling drill at the Future is Female girls basketball camp. (Courtesy of Katie Spinelli/@SpinSnaps)

“I have parents going, ‘My daughter always wears her shirt every Friday. She can't wait to come to Cactus Shadows,’” Santellini said. “I have girls who are going to tackle football games, like they're part of the student section…the identity of this program is bigger than just rolling out the basketball.”

The girls basketball team is just the beginning. In 2026, Cactus Shadows introduced girls flag football, led by head coach Marcus Santelli, Marcello’s brother.

Sophomore Jacelyn Kathy, who competes in both flag football and basketball, sees this as a step forward for female athletics. 

“I feel like it was really important to see a new sport come here,” Kathy said. “Especially how big it's becoming as a female sport. It's really cool how we get to experience it and try it out and try something new.”

Status, whether freshman or senior, is irrelevant on the team. Three of the top five leading scorers of the 2025-26 season were underclassmen, providing a strong foundation for the upcoming season.

“I want to start where we left off,” Rhude said. “We left off being very successful, continuing to work into that.”Cactus Shadows varsity girls basketball players Tessa Rhude, left, Mary Mullenmeister and Jacelyn Kathy. (Courtesy of Katie Spinelli/@SpinSnaps)

With players juggling three sports, outside jobs, all while maintaining a 4.0 team GPA last season, Santelli says they deserve to be seen. 

“I just want you to come and see it,” Santelli said. “This group is special and they're gonna continue to get special. I want this to be a small town, college-like team. I want the suburbs to come in and watch our games. I want the community kids to watch our games. Not just because we're doing good, but because the games are fun because of the passion the girls play with.”

Once in the young girls' shoes, Rhude wants them to know work outweighs talk every time.

“Just keep playing. It doesn't matter if you're the best person on the floor,” Rhude said. “Talent can only take you so far. Potential is only potential for so long. So I think even if you're not the best, you can become one of the best with hard work.”

Deana notes Alivia has already made sure her schedule is available for middle school basketball. 

“It excites them to know they could be the next girls,” Ulrich said. “Alivia tells me, ‘Those are my big sisters' mom.’ It is a beautiful thing.”

Campers gather in the Cactus Shadows girls'basketball locker room to get a game day experience. (Courtesy of Katie Spinelli/@SpinSnaps)

The culture of excellence was never just about building a basketball team. It was about building a community. For the girls growing up in Cave Creek, the message is becoming clear: there is a place for them here.

“If you really love Cactus Shadows, keep coming,” Santelli said. “Come to our practices, come sit in our gym. We want you there. Just understand we’ve always got your back. You know, once a Falcon, always a Falcon.”

With a ball, a hoop, and the Cactus Shadows girls basketball team, the future of women's sports in Cave Creek looks bright in girls like Alivia’s hands. 

The next camp will be held on Jan. 23, 2026.

The Falcons open their season against Greenway on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.