DAREN DUNN
Hutch Post
AUDIO: Full interviews below story.
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Friday night's semifinal in Emporia between the Hutch High Salthawks and the Kapaun Crusaders has significant meaning beyond the court.
Salthawk head coach Bryan Miller graduated Hutch High in 1997 and coached with Steve Eck during the 2019-2020 season at Hutchinson Community College.
"Coach Eck means everything to me," Miller said. "He gave me an opportunity after I got let go at Butler."
The Dragons went 23-9 that season, then Miller took the head coaching job at Hutch High.
"I have so much respect for coach Eck and how he runs his program," Miller said. "The success he's had is unparalleled. He is one of the most generous people I have ever been around."
Miller said his year with Eck allowed him to see just how generous the Hall of Fame coach was every day.
Would Miller still be coaching today if Eck didn't give him that opportunity in 2019?
"Possibly not," Miller said. "I try not to think about those type of things, but possibly not. I'm the type of person to think that everybody has their own journey that they have to go through and everybody has their own plan, and God kind of took me down that path to bring me back home."
The role is special to Miller, the Salthawk alumnus played for another one of his mentors, Phil Anderson.
As an assistant, Anderson helped the 1994 Blue Dragon men capture the NJCAA championship. He then went to Hutch High and guided the Salthawks to the 2001 Class 6A state championship. The 2002 squad finished as the Class 6A state runner-up.
Anderson just finished his ninth season as an assistant for Blue Dragon women's basketball, so he also has ties to coach Eck.
"I don't know really who I'm rooting for, I'd have to say probably rooting for coach Miller since he was a player of mine," Anderson noted.
"I've known coach Miller since he was in high school, I had the good fortune of coaching him. We've become very close in a variety of ways," Anderson shared.
Anderson will be in attendance Friday night at White Auditorium in Emporia, a place he knows all-too-well.
"I was thinking this morning, it would be such a great atmosphere to see White Auditorium packed as it was back in 2001 when we played in the state championship game," Anderson said.
"Bryan is maximizing his talent 100 percent," Eck said. "They just play hard for him, they guard. I just hope we can get the ball across half court," Eck said. "They really play hard."
What kind of feelings will coach Eck have at the conclusion of this game?
"Same as always," Eck said. "I mean, everything's good."
Friday night's winner moves on to the 6:15 p.m. championship Saturday. The loser will play for third place at 2 p.m. The 4 P.M. semifinal in Emporia features Topeka-Highland Park (23-0) and Andover (21-2).
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