Husky History: From Underdogs to State Runner-Up
Trusting the Process and Finding a Rhythm in March
In this insightful interview, Coach Jeff Piggie reflects on his first year leading the Huskies and the remarkable journey from a sub-.500 record to the 6A State Championship game.
After serving as an assistant the previous year, Piggie describes the transition to head coach as one of “managing the whole picture”—handling the administrative duties and delegating to his staff’s strengths to keep the focus on the court.
The Huskies faced one of the most brutal schedules in Kansas, starting the year with a series of close losses against elite competition on both sides of the state line. Coach Piggie emphasizes that these early-season “lumps” were the forge that hardened the team for their postseason run. The turning point came in the sub-state tournament, where the Huskies knocked off high seeds, including a spectacular victory over Wichita Heights, led by senior star Regan Becker.
Becker, a standout who averaged 18.1 points and 9.3 rebounds per game, is praised by Piggie for her “underrated” passing and three-level scoring. Her leadership, alongside a resilient group of seniors, ensured that the team never folded during a rocky January.
The Huskies entered the state tournament with the motto “We Will Win,” ultimately falling just short in a high-intensity final against Shawnee Mission South.
Key Takeaways
Schedule-Hardened: Despite entering the postseason with a losing record, the Huskies’ experience against top-tier 6A and Missouri competition prepared them to upset higher-ranked opponents in March.
The Power of Delegation: Coach Piggie credits his success as a first-year head coach to empowering his assistant coaches and trusting his seniors to lead their peers, creating a “player-led” environment.
Historic Run: This season marked the first time in Blue Valley Northwest history that the girls’ basketball program reached the Final Four and the State Championship game.