With a simple flick of the wrist, Hannah Wilkerson’s run to the top of the Missouri high school girls basketball career scoring charts came to an end in the first half of Thursday’s 75-54 win over Marion C. Early, in Morrisville. 
Hannah Wilkerson, Miller
File photo by Dean Backes
Wilkerson needed just 10 points in the 21-point triumph to surpass former Morrisville and Marshfield star Melissa Grider, who set the old mark of 3,211 points in 1991.
The 5-foot-8 senior made the mark her own by drilling a free throw with 6 minutes, 21 seconds remaining in the second quarter. She finished the contest with 32 points, 17 in the first half.
"I was nervous all day," Wilkerson said of the moments leading up to the charity toss. "But I thought, ‘You can make a free throw.’ When I hit it, I heard everybody yelling. That was the best feeling I had in a long time.
"All of my teammates were very supportive. I think they were feeling the pressure with me. They really came out and played great the second half."
After making what may have been the toughest shot of her prep career, an official’s timeout was called and Grider presented Wilkerson with the game ball.
"It started here, and it ended here tonight," Grider announced just before presenting Wilkerson with her new trophy. "Congratulations Hannah."
After hugging her 95-year-old great-grandmother Maxine Morris, who was in attendance for the first time in Wilkerson’s career, Wilkerson stepped to the free-throw line and made the second charity toss, giving the Cardinals a 22-18 advantage.
Grider’s record stood the test of time for 19 years. When asked if she thought her mark would ever be broken, Wilkerson responded:
"I don’t know. But it’s nice knowing that I had it. If someone else breaks it, it’s nice that I had it."
Wilkerson, who has been scoring 38 points a game in 2009-10, did get off to a slow start. After making 3 of 11 field goals in the first quarter, she rebounded to connect on 12 of 24 field goals for the game and made all seven of her free throws in the contest.
With seven regular-season games remaining on Miller’s schedule, Wilkerson has an opportunity to reach the 3,500-point milestone, especially if she continues on the pace she has scored over the past seven contests.
The point guard has totaled 294 points in her last seven games, an average of 42 points per outing. During that stretch, Wilkerson poured in 50 points in an 89-55 win over Diamond and 54 points in a 96-84 loss to Verona.
"Offensively, she carries us," Miller coach Brandon Weiss said. "She scores the bulk of our points. As our point guard, she sees the floor so well and she does a great job of getting the other girls involved."
Now that she holds the scoring record, Wilkerson may be known solely for her offensive prowess. However, she is driven to thrive in more than one facet of the game. During Thursday’s contest, the Missouri State recruit demonstrated her abilities elsewhere on the basketball court. Wilkerson was credited with five assists, a steal and 10 rebounds as the Cardinals ran their record to 15-4.
"One of the girl’s worst critics is herself," Weiss said of Wilkerson. "She’s her own worst critic. She wants to improve on everything. She wants to be an all-around player."
For Wilkerson, there is nothing like the sound of the crowd during a tight, competitive basketball game. While everybody needs an easy test once in a while, Wilkerson lives for playing against the best competition. She also gets a kick out of going head-to-head with a member of the opposing team. Just let them try to stop her … or at least attempt to slow her down.
"When I see a defender come up on me, I can tell they were told to not let me go anywhere," Wilkerson said, "or else they were told to keep me from getting the ball.
"They’re just trying to do what they were told. But I have to do my thing, too. I have a job to do."
With Wilkerson running the show the last 3-plus seasons, Miller girls basketball has posted a 76-28 mark. For her career, the three-time Missouri Class 2 all-stater has averaged 31 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.3 steals per game through Thursday’s win.
She has swept first-team all-state honors from the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association and the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. Wilkerson was also named first-team all-league in the Spring River Valley conference and earned first-team honors on her all-district team at year’s end the past three seasons.
Growing up close to Missouri State University, Wilkerson has always had an eye on playing for the Lady Bears. Still, a push from her second choice, Iowa State, and several other Big 12 schools almost pulled her away from the Missouri Valley Conference program located in Springfield. However, all of those years of watching the Lady Bears and Jackie Stiles perform on the hard courts proved to be the right attraction.
Missouri State women’s basketball coach Nyla Milleson discovered Wilkerson’s skills by word of mouth and made the 30-minute trip to Miller on more than one occasion to witness Wilkerson’s skills for herself.
"She is a tremendous talent," Milleson said. "She can shoot the 3-ball, is willing to take it to the hole and is a tremendous passer. She has so many offensive tools, and her level of competition and her passion for the game is unbelievable."
As for playing time during her inaugural Lady Bears season: "It’s hard to tell," Milleson said. "We return an experienced group of guards. But at the same time if a freshman comes in and she can demonstrate an ability to play, she most certainly will be given an opportunity to contribute."
From playing basketball with her dad in the driveway to putting in those extra hours in the gym, Wilkerson has given much time and effort to the game of basketball. However, the game has rewarded her as well.
"The crowd really turns out for our games," Wilkerson remarked on one of the many rewards she has earned from the game that she’s devoted so much time and energy to. "I really just enjoy winning, being around friends – and making history.
Note: After scoring 29 points in an 86-21 win over Lockwood Tuesday, Wilkerson carries 3,263 career points into a battle against College Heights Christian Feb. 11.
