Wichita Heights senior Terri Brown spent the first few years of her high school basketball career going through the motions on the hardwood, playing without a clear sense of purpose.
But ever since veteran head coach Jen Pillich arrived on the scene this season, a dramatic shift in tone and philosophy is taking hold and has the undefeated Heights’ girls chasing greatness as legitimate Class 6A title contenders.
“I had never really come out of my shell before this year,” Brown told The Voice, shortly before Heights’ semifinal matchup in the Capital City Classic last week. “But my teammates and coaches are making it exciting; they make you want to interact and be social.”
Brown said it’s refreshing that Pillich allows players to work through and learn from mistakes while playing fast and loose, as opposed to being quickly yanked from a game. Brown added that she lacked confidence entering the season, but has flourished under Pillich. And that’s been a common theme, with Pillich molding complementary pieces into stars en route to a sparkling 15-0 record.
“The entire coaching staff pours their energy and time into making us better,” Brown said.
Heights returns to the court Friday night for a crosstown road clash with Wichita South. Also included among the six games remaining on its regular-season slate is a rematch with Wichita East on Feb. 13.
Queen of the court
Pillich, a former star high school hoopster from Texas in the early 1990s, signed to play for the University of Southern California. During her brief time at USC, she was teammates with Lisa Leslie, a women’s basketball icon and role model to Pillich. Her coaching credentials also include a stint as head coach of the Texas College women’s basketball team.
Pillich preaches defensive principles and hard-nosed grit. Opponents are averaging just 33 points per game against Heights this season. And for Pillcher, good defense leads to offense.
“It’s about keeping teams from scoring while capitalizing on turnovers,” she said.
Junior Ashlynn Reed said she first realized something special was brewing when Heights toppled top-ranked archrival Wichita East in a 54-51 thriller in mid-December.
“We battled through the entire game,” Reed said, “and those are hardships that have allowed us to continue doing what we’re doing.
Even more striking, Reed said, was observing the spirited nature of her teammates after the game, following their selfless play on the court. “Just seeing everybody smile after the win is one of my favorite memories.
“It’s been very encouraging for me to be able to just keep pushing myself to be great, not just for myself, but for the team as well,” Reed said.
Pillich ranks the triumph over Wichita East as one of her fondest experiences this season. She described a highly anticipated matchup that resulted in an electrifying atmosphere.
“I honestly believe that was a turning point for our ‘engine of belief’ that started us on this momentum we are in,” Pillich said.
Under Pillach’s tutelage, Aaliyah Waller has made an immediate impact during her freshman campaign. In Heights’ Capital City Classic win over Derby on Jan. 31, the 5-foot-7 guard dropped in 10 points. Waller credits her coaches and teammates for instilling a culture of connectedness on the court and camaraderie away from it.
Pillich said that the harmony she has cultivated extends beyond just the players and coaching staff.
“I’m grateful for the community support,” she said. “We also have parents who are showing up and assisting us with community service events.”
Pillich added that she’s delighted about the outpouring of support for basketball in Wichita, differing drastically from her years spent coaching in Texas, where football is king.
Representing
While Pillich touts the strides made by her squad during her debut campaign at Heights, she also takes much pride in having assembled an all Black, female coaching staff. She added that her hire represents the first time in decades that the Heights girls’ hoops program has been led by a female coach.
“The sport has gotten away from having female coaches as the head of their programs,” Pillich said. “There are lots of discussions I’m able to have with the girls to help show them parts of life that would be different if it were told by my male counterparts.”
Pilcher also serves as an English instructor and athletic director at Robinson Middle School.
Pillich, a student of the game, has a sounding board in Wichita sports legend Lynette Woodard, as their “kinship” spans several years.
Woodard, a Wichita North alum, was present in Topeka for Heights’ victory over Derby. After the game, Woodard and a Heights coach busted into a celebratory dance on the court — something they hope to repeat in March as state champions.
“I’m very confident in this team and feel like we are going all the way,” Reed said.
I’m so proud of these young ladies and what they’re coaching staff has done Keep up the good work and we’re going to State!!! I’m sorry to hear of the death of Coach Norwood he was a great coach and man