Head Coach: Heather Davis
Heather Davis was named the fifth head coach of Hillcat Women's Basketball in June 2023. A native Oklahoman, Davis is no stranger to the MIAA as she brought over a decade of experience in the league as both a player and coach.
Having spent her entire coaching career in the Sooner State, Davis arrived on College Hill from Southwestern Oklahoma State where she served as the top assistant coach for one year. In her only season with the Bulldogs, she helped coached Averi Zinn and Morgan Smith to All-Great American Conference honors and helped guide SWOSU to a 10th place finish in the GAC under new head coach Jeff Zinn.
"I would like to thank Dr. Ratcliff, the search committee and all of the coaches and staff I met with during the interview process," Davis said. "I am extremely excited for this opportunity to get back to the MIAA and get to work. I look forward to being a part of the Claremore and Rogers State community. Today is a great day to be a Hillcat!"
Prior to her stint in Weatherford, Davis spent eight years as an assistant at Central Oklahoma under UCO Hall of Fame Coach Guy Hardaker. Davis helped the Bronchos to more than 100 wins in her first five seasons at UCO and was 151-83 overall in her time in Edmond.
The Bronchos improved in each of the first three seasons with Davis on staff, going 17-13 in 2014-15, 19-11 in 2015-16 then 25-8 in 2016-17. Central won 22 games during the 2017-18 season with Davis taking the role of head coach in two games, and then went 19-12 during the 2018-19 season before posting an 18-10 mark in 2019-20. In the pandemic-shortened 2020-21 season, UCO posted a 14-9 record. In her last season with the Bronchos, Davis helped guide Central to a 17-13 mark.
The 2016-17 win total tied for the second-most in school history and UCO made it to the MIAA Tournament finals for the first time since joining the league while also making its first appearance in the NCAA Division II national tournament since 2010-11, when Davis played for UCO.
Davis spent two seasons as a graduate assistant coach for UCO before taking over a full-time role in the summer of 2014.
She started her college career at Division I Kansas City and played two years there, averaging 4.9 points a game as a freshman and 2.2 points as a sophomore while earning Academic All-Summit League recognition.
Davis came to UCO in 2010-11 and averaged 4.5 points and 2.7 rebounds a contest while starting in six of 32 games to help lead the Bronchos to a 22-10 record and Sweet 16 berth in the national tournament. She started throughout the 2011-12 season, averaging 10.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.2 assists a game as a senior while making 42 3-pointers. Davis is one of four players in school history to post a 100 percent mark from behind the 3-point line in a single game, with at least five attempts. She went 5-for-5 from behind the arc January 29, 2011 against East Central.
Davis was a prep standout at Muskogee High School, earning All-District and All-State honors as a senior while also garnering All-Conference accolades in soccer.
She earned her bachelor's degree in criminal justice in May 2012 and her master's in criminal justice management and administration in May 2014.
Assistant Coach: Ashlee Pitts
Ashlee Pitts is in her seventh season with the women's basketball program and her fourth season as the top assistant coach.
In her two seasons as a member of the coaching staff, Pitts has helped the Hillcats to three All-Heartland Conference selections, as well as guiding Lauren Schuldt to be named the Heartland Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
The women's basketball program also reached the Heartland Conference Tournament in both seasons..
Pitts came to College Hill after completing a four-year playing career at Southwest Baptist, an NCAA Division II program in Bolivar, Missouri. Pitts was a four-year starter for the Bearcats and served as a captain in her senior season as the Bearcats had their best season in eight years. For her career, she made 82 starts and played 2,468 minutes in four seasons. Pitts totaled 481 points and 315 rebounds. In her senior season, Pitts earned All-Academic Honors from the MIAA.
The Tulsa native prepped at East Central High School where she led the Cardinals to conference and regional championships. In her prep career, Pitts earned all-state, all-metro and all-conference.
Pitts earned two degrees during her career at SBU. She graduated with a bachelors of science in sports management in 2014, and added a masters of science in education with an emphasis in athletic administration in 2016.
Graduate Assistant Coach: Zahra Cross
Zahra Cross joined the Hillcats as an assistant coach in May 2024.
Cross joins the Hillcats are serving as a graduate assistant coach at NCAA Division III's East Texas Baptist University. With the Tigers, she helped oversee day-to-day operations of the women's basketball program as well as recruiting efforts, practice planning and travel arrangements. Last season, Cross helped guide ETBU to a 14-13 record with an appearance in the second round of the American Southwest Conference Tournament.
As a player, Cross played two years at Division II Converse University after transferring from Division III Schreiner University. In her career, she put up 830 points with 189 assists and 115 steals. She was also named the SCAC Newcomer of the Year and Second Team All-SCAC in 2019-20 and was also named Third Team All-SCAC in 2020-21.
Cross earned her bachelor's degree in child and family studies from Converse University and holds a master's degree in kinesiology from East Texas Baptist University.