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Prospect's Miller steps down

Prospect girls basketball coach Marie Baker Miller has stepped down from her post after guiding the Knights to a 29-25 record in the last two seasons.

As a nontenured teacher, Miller was part of a reduction-in-force when culinary programs were recently cut throughout District 214.

"It's just one of the things that goes with the profession," said Miller, one of the Knights' all-time great centers, a three-time all-area selection and Mid-Suburban League East Player of the Year in 2006.

"It's the direction the district is going."

Miller is going on to teach at Leyden High School for the 2000-21 school year.

"I talked to the athletic director there and right now there are no openings for coaching, which is fine," said Miller, who was also 4-0 as Prospect's interim coach during the 2017-18 season. "Everything is kind of falling in place and for a reason.

"Coaching is always something that's going to be a part of me. I haven't had a winter break or anything like that for myself in 20 years so it will be an interesting chapter. But it's definitely not one closed forever."

Miller, who also played for Eastern Illinois, will have one additional duty to keep her busy this school year.

"Our baby boy is due in two weeks so we'll see what life looks like with Miller 'party of three' coming our way," she said.

Miller said she will miss her ties to Prospect.

"Hands down, I'll miss the kids and the whole high of the competition, winning games, and learning lessons from the games we lose," she said. "Most importantly it's the kids. That's the reason I went into it and the reason I've always done it. It's just a great group of people.

"I've had incredible support from my own coaching staff and working so closely with the boys team as well. It was really a great experience all the way around."

Prospect has not named a new coach yet. When it does, it will mark the third Mid-Suburban East girls basketball team with a new coach for the upcoming season.

Martha Kelly has been tabbed at Buffalo Grove and Beth Christell at Wheeling.

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