Cates nabs IML all-league selection

Lady Wildcat senior Kaili Cates was recently named as a member of the Intermountain League girls all-league team.

Cates was a standout for Kellogg High School this past season and was their season high scorer, but the award comes with mixed emotions for Cates as it signaled the end of a bittersweet season for her and the rest of the Wildcats.

“We had our ups and downs this season,” Cates said. “We finally really came together and we started playing well as a team. I just really hate the way it ended.”

That end was a narrow road loss to Bonners Ferry, where the winner advanced to the state tournament and the loser’s season would be over.

“I didn’t feel like I played as well as I could have,” Cates said. “I just wish I had been able to do more.”

Despite Cates’ personal feelings toward the way the season ended, there is no denying that she played an otherwise marvelous year for the Wildcats.

“I think my favorite part of this season definitely was beating St. Maries at Brawl for the Ball,” Cates said. “That was when it really felt like things started clicking for us as a team.”

Cates is beyond thankful for her teammates and how they were able to band together, but she is even more thankful for Nearing, for helping her develop her game.

“Coach worked with me so much,” Cates said. “My game used to be a lot more limited than it is now and I owe that to her for helping me. I am hoping to walk on at NIC (North Idaho College) and that wouldn’t have been possible without all the hard work she put in with me.”

Cates will now move on from KHS basketball and begin focusing on the Wildcat softball team.