Sean Frye [email protected] ALTAMONT — Tears welling up with fans from Labette County and Parsons delivering a standing ovation, Heather Wilson stood on the basketball court in Altamont on Tuesday night with humility.
Wilson, a longtime teacher, theatre director and coach at Labette County High School, recently completed chemotherapy for an ovarian cancer diagnosis delivered in August.
On Tuesday, with heated rivals dueling on the court, Labette County and Parsons held a Coaches vs. Cancer night to celebrate Wilson and educate the community.
“Everybody has been so supportive,” Wilson said. “I’ve been pretty private. I try to be worried about other people. But everybody is so understanding. Tonight was really special. Anybody would do anything I needed.”
Coaches vs. Cancer is an annual, collaborative effort between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches to promote cancer awareness and early detection.
Labette County girls basketball head coach Brianna Volmer, who played under Wilson in both volleyball and basketball when she was a student, spearheaded the event.
“When we had a conversation back in the fall, she wanted to use her platform to advocate for early detection,” Volmer said. “That’s what helps others. So I took it and ran with it. I’ve always wanted something more than just a color we wear. I want to make the world better, so why not start with Parsons versus Labette County?”
The lobby in the gym featured tables with information on where to access healthcare in the county, mostly through Labette Health. Volmer collaborated with health careers students at LCHS to gather the information.
“We wanted to provide information on resources you can provide in Labette County and not just statistics,” Volmer said.
Players for both the Labette County boys and girls basketball teams wore teal warmup shirts with Wilson’s name adorned on the back. Parsons players sported cancer ribbons on their warmups.
The shirts were a surprise to Wilson. “Bri is a stinker. I knew Coaches vs. Cancer was coming up, but I didn’t know they were going to do anything with the shirts or any sort of ceremony,” Wilson said. “There was a group chat I was not in. So I was surprised at all the planning that everybody did to make it so special.”
Between the girls and boys games, Volmer gave a speech to the crowd that celebrated those battling cancer, encouraged early screenings and honored Wilson.
“It’s a great cause and tonight, it was for a better person,” Labette County boys basketball head coach Bradley Argabright said. “We’ve done these before and it’s usually just a Pink Out. So this was a new concept for us. But it’s very needed in our community. We wanted to provide resources to our community. If it saves one person, that’s a great cause.”
Parsons boys coach Anthony Houk felt the impact of Tuesday’s ceremonies — his wife, Janell, was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago and is currently in remission.
“From being a spouse in that situation,” Houk said, “in a moment like this, it’s nice to see people and feel the support. I know my wife felt that in the past. I’m sure Heather felt that tonight.”
Wilson has been a stalwart at LCHS for decades, serving as the director of one of the state’s most decorated theatre departments as well as a volleyball and basketball coach.
“Heather is the backbone of Labette County High School,” Wilson said. “The way she impacts the world around her — the theatre world, the athletic world — she means the world to the students she’s always in contact with. I wish tonight was enough for her.”
Wilson received her diagnosis of stage 1 ovarian cancer in mid-August, just as the 2025-26 school year was starting.
“I had been having some pelvic symptoms, but nothing terrible,” Wilson said. “I had an exam and my gynecologist was immediately concerned. She had me get some scans and some blood tests. Then four or five days later, they did surgery.”
Through the fall semester, which included directing “The Wizard of Oz” production, starting basketball season and producing another production, “Almost, Maine,” Wilson underwent chemotherapy treatments.
“I approached it a day at a time,” Wilson said. “I thought it was going to be getting treatment once every three weeks. But I was allergic to the first chemo. So they had to put me on a different type and that extended the regimen. And I had to do it weekly — which is annoying to say the least.”
Volmer never doubted Wilson’s steadfast approach. “She’s one of the most impactful people in my life. Heather Wilson is family to me,” Volmer said. “I had to take a second. But if anybody was ready, it’s Heather. She was ready to take on the process. She’s a soldier. We’re here to stand with her and fight for her.”
Wilson completed chemotherapy and is hopeful for a clean bill of health in the coming days.
“I’m through the first chemo rounds and I go back to the doctor very soon to see if there’s any more treatment that I need,” Wilson said. “But all the scans look good.”
