Prichard Set to Lead Malcolm

In developing a solid plan for the future of their program, Malcolm Public School has announced the hiring of state champion coach Dennis Prichard to lead their girls basketball team for the 2025-26 season.

“We are excited to bring in a coach with the experience that Coach Prichard has,” Malcolm athletic director Dallas Sweet said. “He’s a big relationship guy. He is very passionate about the game and bringing out the best in our kids.”

Last season, the Clippers replaced coach Andy Klepper with co-coaches already on staff — Troy Pritchett and Amber Dolliver. The initial plan was for them to coach for two years.

The Clippers advanced to a district final where they lost to eventual state champion Lincoln Christian 82-65 and finished 15-11. Under Klepper, Malcolm finished fourth at the 2023 Class C-1 state tournament.

“When Andy left and we could not fill the position, we knew that Troy and Amber would be short term,” said Sweet. Pritchett had planned to retire at the end of this season, which is still In place.

Prichard brings a wealth of winning experience to the Clipper bench. He has a 500-226 overall record as a high school coach and has coached four girls state championship teams — three at Falls City Sacred Heart and, most recently at Lincoln East in 2016.

His run at Sacred Heart was highlighted by eight straight tournament appearances and Class D-1 state titles in 1998, 1999 and 2000. After a three-year stint at Peru State College, he was at Lincoln East from 2006-2021 where he led the Spartans to state eight times.

The opportunity at Malcolm was too good to pass up, said Prichard who has retired from full-time teaching. He was an assistant at Lincoln Pius X last season.

“I feel very fortunate that things fell into place for this opportunity and I am excited to work hard for the Malcolm community,” he said.

Malcolm will have wealth of experience at Prichard’s disposal.

All-state guard Payton Dolliver returns for her sophomore season and senior big sister Halle — who missed last year with an ACL injury — just committed to Omaha. Both are over 20 point per game career scorers.

They have help though as Halle’s absence paved the way for juniors Kenna Wilcox (4.7 points, 2.3 assists per game) and Baylor Bratrsovsky (8.5 ppg) to get valuable time as starters last year. Senior Shyann Seni and junior Lena Schmidt also started at points in the season last year for Malcolm.