Shining out of the spotlight

As is often the case in athletics, the best lessons are often learned away from the game-time spotlight and have more to do with life than sports.

Katie Prichard learned that the hard way, going from a Riverside High School multi-sport star to role player on the Gonzaga University women’s basketball team.

“It’s been a growing experience,” she said. “I’ve learned a lot about who I am. A lot of it was learning there’s more to life than basketball; I’m more than a basketball player.

“I’ve learned the team’s accomplishments are more important than my own. I’ve learned to face adversity. I’ve learned to trust, even if I think I’m in control, God is the one in control.”

The strength from that knowledge has served her well in the last few weeks of her career.

Three weeks ago, her family was shattered when her grandfather, who has been diagnosed with Altzheimer’s Disease, his granddaughter said, apparently shot and killed his wife. The shooting remains under investigation, county sheriff’s office officials said.

“Basketball was kind of a blessing to have through the turmoil of my grandma passing away,” Prichard said. “It’s been an outlet (to help) deal with having such a public turmoil happen to you. Not just that I lost my grandma, but my grandfather (being) in the process of the legal system. That was hard to deal with. Everyone has been so supportive. It was nice to go to practice, run out and be silly with the girls.”

Prichard’s strength came from the experience of her first three years with the Bulldogs.

After playing sparingly as a freshman she decided to redshirt her second year, but 17 games into the season an injury left Gonzaga shorthanded at guard and she was asked to return to the active roster.

“It was hard for me, sitting out, but I accepted it,” she said. “I was fine being a practice player. (After) sacrificing the 17 games, coming out to play, that was also very hard, learning to put other players before myself.”

GU tied for second in the West Coast Conference before losing the WCC tournament championship game and advancing to the Women’s NIT, only the second postseason berth in school history.

Though her role was limited, in hindsight Prichard is glad she made that decision.

“If I would have been asked that question following that sophomore year I probably wished I had that year back,” she said. “I truly believe everything happens for a reason. Losing that year was part of God’s plan for me. Everything is falling together.”

Instead of looking forward to another year of basketball, she is about to graduate with a double major in math and history with plans to study aboard next year before going into teaching.

The Bulldogs were even more successful last year. They won the league for the first time with a 14-0 record, part of a record 23-game winning streak that earned the team a national ranking for the first time.

However, Prichard saw less playing time than she did the previous two seasons.

“Not playing, that was a growing moment,” she said. “Knowing I wasn’t going to be playing in a game, my contribution in practice was making those people better.

“Having that kind of success, it makes all the work I put in in practice, worth it; I’m part of something great, I’m not just working for nothing even though I’m not on the court scoring.”

The Bulldogs’ run ended in the championship game of the WCC tournament again, but they broke new ground by earning another WNIT berth and won a game at home before losing.

Though there were significant graduation losses, the Zags had high expectations for this season. There have been some struggles but they’re playing well now and tied for the league title heading into the tournament, which is in Spokane for the first time.

And this time, Prichard has been a contributor with seven starts, some timely baskets and late-game defense.

“I’ve gotten to do things this year I haven’t really gotten to do in my previous years,” she said. “It’s been nice to say I’ve been able to contribute to Gonzaga in some form.

“We’re finally starting to click. … Everyone’s pretty focused. This is what we’re gearing for.”

Win or lose, Prichard is not second-guessing her decisions – and that’s no idle statement.

In high school she was one of the top 2A distance runners in the state. She was a four-time top-10 finisher in state cross country meets and in track she won five state titles, including the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meters as a sophomore. Despite being a three-time All-Great Northern League basketball player, she obviously had choices.

“I don’t have any regrets,” she said. “My parents have asked me that same question. Running is something I can do the rest of my life and I can do it competitively, too. … For basketball, I knew if it was something I wanted to pursue, the only time I could do it competitively was in college.

“My experience here has been so amazing. I’m not sure if I would have had that experience if I had gone the running route. It’s not always about being successful; it’s about the journey along the way.”