SIK Coach of the Year - Story

Since the end of the 2019-20 season awards have continued to roll in from throughout the state and Sports in Kansas is the latest to release their postseason awards with Nemaha Central head coach Hadden Hiltgen named the co-Coach of the Year in Class 3A.

Hiltgen led the Thunder girls to a perfect 24-0 record and the No. 1 ranking in the state before the season came to an end prematurely in the semifinals of the state tournament where the final two rounds were canceled.

He has been with the Thunder since the 2010-11 season and has led the girls’ basketball team to four consecutive state tournament bids including two final four appearances.

The Thunder girls have also won over 20 games the past four seasons and three straight Big 7 League Championships.

Hiltgen will now look forward to next year where he will have to find a way to replace three key seniors including Alleigh Kramer who was a SIK 3A Player of the Year nominee but returns a strong core with high hopes of another league title and a state tournament run.