Hills Has Climbed UW’s Mountains Hard Work Leads To Starting Spot, Leadership Role

Last year, Molly Hills was the sophomore on the bench who rarely played. At Edmonds-Woodway High School, she was the school’s all-time leading scorer. For the Huskies, Hills averaged 0.7 points.

This year she is the most improved player on a team bound for West Lafayette, Ind., to prepare for Saturday’s NCAA women’s basketball tournament opener against Purdue.

Hills has gone from deep reserve to starter. The 5-foot-9 junior guard used to be better known for whom she was dating - Huskies quarterback Brock Huard. But now Hills has an elevated role with the Huskies, who rely on her outside weaponry to complement Jamie Redd and Amber Hall.

Hills is coming off her finest game of the season, scoring a career-high 15 points in last Saturday’s 81-63 victory over Washington State at Hec Edmundson Pavilion.

She also hit two critical free throws as Washington edged Cal in overtime 83-78 on Feb. 21.

Hills has not become a go-to player yet, but she no longer is one defenses can afford to shy away from either.

Of the Huskies’ regulars, she is the most accurate bomber, hitting 33 percent of her 3-point shots. This year Hills hoisted 148 3’s, compared to none last year.

Hills never got the opportunity as a sophomore. Playing behind Laure Savasta, Elise Niemela and Redd, Hills watched and waited. Over the summer, disheartened by her lack of playing time, she considered transferring.

The thought passed, and Hills decided to give it another shot - and another shot after that. Coach June Daugherty wanted Hills to improve her quickness, strength and shooting in the off-season.

Hills did. She lifted weights and ran. She also shot 300 times an hour five days a week, using a machine that retrieves the ball and kicks it back out. When left alone, the left-hander now can paint corners like the Mariners’ Jamie Moyer.

“I realized I was going to be an upperclassman,” Hills said. “I approached it with the attitude of expecting to play, not wanting to play.”

With Savasta and Niemela graduating, Hills knew a starting job was hers if she worked hard enough. Once she grabbed it, Hills kept the position.

Against Purdue, she will be asked to nail the 3’s again and, more importantly, stop the Boilermakers’ biggest threat. Stephanie White is a junior guard who scored 21 points a game. She will be Hills’ responsibility.

“She’s really quick and can hit the outside shot or drive,” Hills said. “I’ll just try to contain her.”

At the other end, Hills hopes the Huskies will explode and regain the shooting touch and frame of mind they once had. Washington opened the season with 10 straight wins before finishing 8-9.

“In preseason we had no fear,” she said. “We’re trying to get that attitude back. The preseason should give us a lot of confidence.”

The Huskies have proven they can beat some of the country’s best teams. Now all Hills has to do is show she can beat one of the country’s best quarterbacks. Her boyfriend is undefeated in their games of H-O-R-S-E.

“It’s unfair. He wins because he shoots from NBA range and I can’t shoot from that far out,” Hills said. “I’ve gotten him to S. I haven’t beaten him, but I’m going to.”

Huard has - and is - a soft touch. He surprised Hills by traveling to Eugene for the Huskies’ game against Oregon on Valentine’s Day.

This season Hills has been showing up for the Huskies, the difference being no one is surprised anymore.