Miege girls coach gets 700th win

By RUSTIN DODD

The Kansas City Star

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Bishop Miege coach Terry English emerged from the locker room, shook a few hands and quietly walked to a crowd of fans on the opposite side of the gymnasium.

English had just collected his 700th victory in the Stags’ 44-41 win over Notre Dame de Sion on Friday night at the Hy-Vee Shootout — another milestone in a career that has spanned decades and been marked by titles. But as English stood and assessed his team’s young season — his 36th at Bishop Miege — the landmark victory appeared to be secondary to something more important: This year’s team.

“Right now, we’re just kind of a struggling team trying to find our way,” English said, “And I really didn’t have my mind on 700 as much as just trying to get a win.”

Bishop Miege started the season 1-3, and let victories slip away in the final minutes. The Stags, junior Sydney Vaughn said, were well aware that English had begun the season sitting on 698 victories. So perhaps they put a little extra pressure on themselves to close the deal. And maybe some of that pressure cropped up on Friday late in the fourth quarter, when Sion went on a 9-2 run and tied the score at 41-41.

“I think maybe we took it for granted,” Vaughn said.

Still, Bishop Miege, 2-3, found a way to hold on. Vaughn converted a layup in the final minute. After Sion couldn’t answer, junior guard Alexis Hughes converted one of two free throws, helping the Stags escape.

“It gave them a little confidence,” English said, “and hopefully we can kind of turn our season around.”

It certainly took some work on Friday. The Stags built a 21-17 lead at halftime, but the Storm — buoyed by 18 points from junior Grace Keane — stayed within striking distance for most of the second half.

“They put up a fight,” Vaughn said.

But Bishop Miege had an answer. Vaughn and Hughes finished with 12 points apiece, and junior center Iland Shurn added eight points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes.

In the moments after the game, English nodded his head as he recalled victory No. 1. It was a 34-30 win at O’Hara, and English can still rattle off the names of his starting lineup from that 1976-77 season.

“We had a good little team that year,” English said, before continuing.

“It’s a nice win for the program, for the school, for all the kids who’ve played. I’ve had so many good people with me that have been loyal and worked so hard.”