Kristin Mallory now can relate to legendary NBA coach Phil Jackson.

No, Mallory hasn’t adopted the ideals of the Far East or carved out a catchy metaphysical nickname like “Zen Master.” Instead, she finally experienced coaching a team with so much talent that winning became inevitable.

Last week, Mallory’s Lawrence High girls basketball team won the ultimate prize, finishing atop the Class 6A ladder at the state tournament in Emporia.

However, delivering the third girls hoops state title in school history is not the only reason the seven-year LHS coaching veteran earned the Journal-World’s all-area coach of the year honors. That came because of her entire body of work.

Whether it was managing personalities, meshing sophomores with seniors or coming up with plays in a pinch in the huddle, Mallory did it all this season, earning the utmost respect from the players she coached, as well as high school basketball’s top trophy.

“I think Mal was probably best at coming up with plays off the top of her head,” said LHS junior Taylor Bird. “I’m not even kidding, I think we had like 50 different plays. We’d learn one, run it once and never run it again.”

That kind of attention to detail and devotion to winning helped Mallory guide the Lions to a 16-4 regular-season record. From there, LHS rolled through the postseason, winning five straight games to take the state title and finish 21-4.

For Mallory, reaching her sport’s pinnacle was a sweet – albeit overwhelming – feeling. Moments after quietly taking in the scene that followed the Lions’ state-title victory over Goddard, Mallory ducked out of the gym and sat alone in the locker room, tears in her eyes.

“I think the biggest turning point in our season was when we started focusing on each other,” Mallory said. “At the first practice, the first goal this team mentioned was to win state, and they worked toward that common goal all year. But it wasn’t until late in the season that they really started playing for each other, appreciating each other and having a little togetherness.”

For all the things her players provided, Mallory offered her share, as well. She took a more strict approach to this team than in years past, became more intense in practices and worked relentlessly to become a more effective game coach as well. Just about every string she pulled seemed to work.

But in the end, regardless of the coach of the year honors or multiple offers to coach a couple of postseason all-star squads, Mallory remained focused on her girls.

“It helps to have great talent,” Mallory said. “I’m not any better of a coach because I won the state tournament. I’m the same coach I was last year.”