Edmond North 2024 Allison Heathcock now behind the wheel for Lady Huskies' drive toward 'three-peating'

EDMOND, OKLAHOMA - In Edmond North’s drive to the 2023 6A girls basketball state title, Allison Heathcock was probably sitting in the backseat. 

While she was a crucial player, most of the attention and focus went to seniors Laci Steele (now playing at North Carolina State) and Elle Papahronis (now at the University of San Francisco).

However, those days are long past. Now as a senior, Heathcock is the face of the Lady Huskies and their quest for a third straight state championship.

It’s a situation Heathcock prepared herself to take on.

“I came into this year with the mindset of working as hard as I can to make it the best year that I can make it,” Heathcock said. “I'm the go-to person this year with our seniors who graduated last year.

"I knew that that was going to be a big responsibility to take on, so I worked really hard all preseason to make sure that I could do what I needed to for the team.”

That preparation has seemingly paid off. Along with helping keep the Lady Huskies undefeated through their first 11 games, she leads the team in scoring and rebounding and was named tournament MVP at the Mustang Holiday Classic - which the Lady Huskies won - and to the first team at the Jenks-Union Invitational.

Heathcock gives her former teammates Steele and Papahronis much of the credit for the player she has been able to become in her final prep campaign.

“I was able to take their rebounding for sure,” Heathcock said. “Their work ethic every day in practice. They were always battling, they were always pushing each other to get better and (I was) really just focusing on that.

"Every day is a chance to get better, so if you work hard every day, then eventually, you'll see your progress.”

At 6-foot-1, Heathcock is a versatile player. While she will battle in the post for rebounds, she can also help break the press by bringing the ball upcourt. Her all-around game has made her one of the top players in the state.

“I would describe it as a pretty complete game,” Heathcock said. “I think I do every category of the game pretty well and I do the best that I can and I think that other people can see that.”

The one area of Heathcock’s game she wanted to show this year was her ability to make shots. 

“Being able to make the tougher shots and create more shots for myself,” Heathcock said. “I knew that without the other two seniors that were here last year, I was going to have to shoot more, score more, and so I was definitely working on creating better shots for myself and being able to make the tough ones.”

But that meant changing more than just improving Heathcock’s skillset. She had to alter her mindset as well.

“You have to always have confidence even if you aren't making it. Confidence is a really big piece; you have to know that you are one of the best players out there and you have to know that you can do it in any circumstance," Heathcock said. “I think at times, definitely through my first few years of high school, I haven't been the leading scorer.

"I haven't always been the top player, so I think confidence sometimes has wavered for me a little bit. But this year, I definitely am feeling so confident about my game.”

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Heathcock will continue her basketball career next season at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She committed to the school in October of 2022 and signed a year later.

“It was just the atmosphere,” Heathcock said of her choice. “When I went up for my unofficial visit, it was everything that I thought it would be and the style of basketball, the coaching staff, the resources that they have, it was all perfect for me.

"I think that my game will translate very well to college.”

Before joining the Blue Jays, Heathcock has some work to do. To end her career as a three-time state champion would be impressive. But to do it this year with her driving the car would be special.

“It's a dream. I think about it all the time,” Heathcock said. “It would be incredible to be able to do that.

"It's going to take hard work every day. It's going to take determination, staying true to who we are, playing the games that we want to play, and just working hard with that goal in mind all year.” 

The Lady Huskies (18-1), whose lone defeat was to Putnam City West in the title game of the Jenks/Union Invitational, defeated Moore on Tuesday night, 63-35. This Friday, Edmond North travels to face Capitol Hill before returning home for its last two regular-season games.

-- Michael Kinney | @SBLiveOK