Sterling College Athletics
Sterling College Athletics and Vice President of Athletics, Scott Downing, announced that women's basketball head coach K.C. Bassett has resigned to take a NCAA Div. II assistant position.
"K.C. has been an invaluable asset as coach of the Lady Warriors," Downing said. "After stepping into the role following Hall of Fame Coach Lonnie Kruse, she has shaped and developed a team that reflects her unique basketball style while competing for championships. Her influence extends beyond the court; she influences student-athletes in every area of their lives. Her program impacts the entire Sterling community. We are grateful for her loyalty and wish her continued success in her career.
Bassett finished her tenth season at the helm of the Lady Warrior's basketball program with a record of 232-114 after taking over in 2014-15. She started her coaching career at Sterling College in 2007 under Kruse and was inducted into the Sterling College Hall of Fame herself in 2016. She has also served Sterling as the Associate Athletic Director and Senior Women leader starting in 2021.
Over the past seven seasons, she has led the Lady Warriors to three KCAC regular season championships, three KCAC conference tournament championships and six trips to the NAIA National tournament (2019-23 & 2025).
Bassett has also coached five NAIA All-Americans, three KCAC Players of the Year, two KCAC Freshmen of the Year and numerous all KCAC honorees.
As a coach she has amassed several accolades including NAIA National Coach of the Year (2021) by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA), 4-Year Women's Basketball Coach of the Year (2021) by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, three time Lonnie Kruse KCAC Women's Basketball Coach of the Year (2021-23) and KCAC Champion of Character Coach of the Year (2015).
Her time with Sterling College women's basketball began in 2003 as she was a four-year starter for the Lady Warriors. On the team, she won two conference championships and one KCAC tournament championship. The team also made three trips to the NAIA National tournament where they finished in the Sweet Sixteen twice and the Elite Eight once.
"In 2003 I arrived on the campus of Sterling College, as a student-athlete, having no idea how much of an impact this school and community would have on me," Bassett said. "After 22 years, there is no adequate way to express how much my time here has meant to me."
Individual awards Bassett received during her time on the court include: KCAC Freshman of the Year (2003-04), KCAC Player of the Year (2006-07), KCAC All-Conference honorable mention (2003-04), KCAC All-Conference First Team (x3), NAIA All-American (third-team) and NAIA Scholar Athlete (x2). She ended her playing career as Sterling College women's basketball all-time assist leader with 549.
"First and foremost, thank you to legendary coach, Lonnie Kruse. I would not be where I am today without Coach believing in me and giving me the opportunity to carry on his amazing legacy," Bassett said. "Thank you to President Scott Rich, Vice President of Athletics, Scott Downing, and Director of Athletics, Justin Morris who have endlessly supported me and this program. Assistant Athletic Director, Deb Wiebe and Director of Athletic Training, Pete Manely, have been there for me from the moment I stepped onto campus, and I truly do not know where I would be without them. To all the players I have coached- you have given me so much more than I could ever give you and I am so proud of the young women you have become. Thank you to the incredible Sterling Women's Basketball fans. You have been such a blessing. Lastly, thank you to my family - you are truly the best. I will always be a Warrior for life."
Assistant coach Tim Hendrixson will serve in the interim until a coach is announced.
"The impact that K.C. has had not only on our women's basketball team but across our campus will be truly missed. It has been a blessing to see her grow as a student-athlete, to assistant coach, then as our head coach, associate athletic director and senior women's leader. We wish her all the best and we are excited to see her excel in her next chapter," Athletic Director Justin Morris said.