BY RICK PETERSON, JR.

KSHSAA COVERED

Jackie Stiles was there to watch the start of Claflin-Central Plains' girls basketball dynasty eight years ago.  

Since witnessing her father, Pat Stiles, guide the Oilers to their first state title in 2014, her college coaching career prevented her from seeing Central Plains continue to rack up state championships.  

But the basketball legend was there on Saturday for the Oilers' eighth straight title, and what a moment it was.  

A special guest in honor of the 50th anniversary of Title IX, Stiles presented her father and the Oilers with the state championship trophy and medals following Central Plains' 50-38 win over Golden Plains in the final of the Class 1A Division II tournament at Barton Community College. 

"I tried not to cry," Jackie said. "It was emotional. I would not be where I am today if it wasn't what my dad did for my career. To be able to present the award for the eighth straight state championship, it's hard to put into words what that meant, and to this community that supported me throughout my career.  

"To be here and share in that moment with them is awesome." 

Each state tournament had a Kansas all-time girls basketball great on site to present the game balls to the officials and hand out the postgame awards for the championship games. 

Stiles was a natural pick for the Class 1A Division 2 tourney. She scored a state-record 3,603 career points during her career at Claflin High School from 1993 to 1997 and added to her legend at Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State) and in the WNBA.  

"I'm honored and humbled that they picked me, and that they allowed me to come to this state tournament venue, because, wow, even the boys' championship game (56-55 Greeley County win over Hanover) was unbelievable," Stiles said. "A lot of great basketball and an incredible atmosphere, too. A lot of fun." 

"It's special to have her here," Pat Stiles said.  

Jackie, who was also on hand for Central Plains' hard-fought 49-44 semifinal win over Hanover Friday. She was "blown away" by the toughness of the Oilers, who had key players battling ailments in the title game.  

"They somehow powered through and found a way," Stiles said. "They did not quit. They kept battling. They ended up on top because of mental toughness." 

The Oilers have lost five games since 2014.

"Your team takes on your coach's personality," Jackie Stiles said. "My dad has done such an amazing job. People don't see the behind the scenes. He was up at 4 in the morning watching film.  

"He works so hard and he deserves all of this, and I'm proud to share this moment with him." 

Central Plains junior Brynna Hammeke said having the iconic Jackie Stiles on hand made the Oilers' championship special. 

"Amazing," Hammeke said. "She's been a role model to all of us. Seeing her cheering us on in the stands, it just helped the energy on-and-off the court. Knowing that she was going to present the plaque gave us determination to get that plaque because we wanted to receive it from our hometown hero."

After 10 years as an assistant coach in Division I basketball including stints at Missouri State and the University at Oklahoma, Stiles stepped away from college coaching and now is the owner and operator of NextGen Fitness in Springfield, Mo. She also gives basketball lessons and holds camps and clinics.  

"What's still rewarding about it is I still get to coach, but I get to choose how to spend my time," Stiles said. "So much of college coaching you spend time doing things where I think I could find way better ways to spend my time.  

"Now, I get to do the best part. I get to show a young athlete a move or something that worked for me and took me to the highest level. And then to see them do it, I'm like a proud mom watching these kids develop and train." 

She also loves sharing her passion for fitness, noting that when she was undergoing cancer treatment for ocular melanoma in 2018 she had an exercise bike in her hospital room so she could still work out every day.  

"To share my love for it and how it's affected my life, and to be able to transform other people lives through fitness, it's just a good fit for me," Stiles said.