Pratt Community College athletics director Kurt McAfee did not go too far for his new women’s basketball coach. He stayed home and selected Pratt native and Skyline head girls’ basketball coach Stephanie Shanline.
Shanline accepted the position Wednesday.
“We are extremely happy that someone of Stephanie’s caliber will be leading our program”, said McAfee. “She is an individual who focuses on doing things the correct way.”
“I have always wanted to be a college coach, and I love teaching the game,” said Shanline. “PCC has given me a chance to be a head college coach and do it in my hometown. This is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up, and I am anxious to get to work and get started.”
Shanline replaces Brook Schwartz who resigned to pursue a personal trainer career in Denver, Colo.
Shanline’s decision to depart Skyline was a heartfelt, soul-searching journey.
“Leaving Skyline is difficult,” she said. “I had a great bunch of girls there that I care deeply about, and I  will miss them greatly. It is very hard for me to walk away from the family atmosphere and the kids at Skyline. It is a wonderful place.
“I am grateful to them for letting me be a part of such a wonderful school system.”
Three of her current Lady Thunderbirds will move on to the collegiate level.
Hannah McPherson signed on with the Hutchinson Community College track and field team. Alayna Howell will attend Central Christian College, in McPherson, and play basketball. PCC head volleyball coach Patrick Hall recently signed Ricci Lambert.
 Shanline has a tough road ahead at PCC.
The Beavers were 6-10 in the KJCCC West and 9-21 overall in 2007-08.
They were coming off a 5-26 season.
They have fallen in the first-round of the Region VI Division I playoffs the past two seasons.
The Beavers return Wyneisha Webb, Sydney Moore, Lindsee Bachicha, and redshirt Leanda Martinez. Ex-Greensburg star Ashton Stout is expected to play in 2008-09.
Webb was the team’s second-leading scorer, averaging 10.2 ppg.
The Beavers scored 68 ppg., 14th out of 17 Region VI Division I teams. They allowed 59.3 ppg., 13th in the region.
Shanline is a 2000 Pratt High School graduate and is considered one of the best females to don a Lady Greenback basketball uniform.
A multiple PHS record holder, her sophomore through senior seasons she was All-Mid-State Activities Association all-league, and a member of the KSHSAA 4A All-State first-team her junior and senior seasons.
She was also the 2000 KSHSAA 4A Player of the Year.
Following a successful career at PHS, she played at Cowley College under current New Mexico State women’s head coach Darin Spence.
She was named to the KJCCC West All-Conference second team in her two seasons at the Arkansas City school.
During her sophomore year, she was named “Cowley College Female Student Athlete of the Year.”
She transferred to Pittsburg State University where she played for Steve High, the current Dodge City Community College head coach.
She taught in the Haviland school district before accepting a middle school language arts and the Skyline girls’ head basketball coaching position.
Assisted by her former PHS head coach, Jimmy Lee, Shanline compiled a 48-18 record over three seasons.
In 2007, her Lady Thunderbirds shared the Heart of the Plains League title.
Skyline finished second at the 2008 Skyline 1A Regional then fell to eventual state champion South Gray in the Dodge City Sub-state semifinals.
“I feel like her time spent in the Jayhawk conference and as a high school coach has prepared her to be a head coach in the Jayhawk,” said McAfee.
“Making the jump from high school to college, I know I have many  challenges ahead,” said Shanline. “I think more importantly than Xs and Os, or anything else, I need to develop a sense of pride and enthusiasm in my players, the faculty, and the community. I know I have to have realistic goals and begin immediately with recruiting, scheduling, and building something that people with be proud of.”
The Shanline Era begins.