Catelin King got a relatively late start into organized sports as the Hilldale High School senior didn’t start playing basketball until the sixth grade after spending most of her elementary school years in cheer.

“Basketball was really my first try at a team sport, but I fell in love with the game right away. I enjoyed playing and had lots of fun with my teammates,” said King who is once again involved in cheer and runs track at Hilldale.

As she got into high school, she found a role model that really helped her transition from middle school to high school.

“Riley Barnoskie was a role model for me as I got into high school. I loved how she played, and she really inspired me and helped me so much with basketball and really looked after me.”

As she moves into her senior year, things are changing on the basketball front. The girls’ program has been just so-so for the past few years, but Catelin was emotional as she talked about how optimistic she was for this year with new coach Keni Jo Burns taking over.

“This senior year means a lot to me because time is going by so fast. Having coach Burns here has made a lot of difference. She’s made things so much better, and I feel like this season is going to be really good.”

For the new coach, there’s optimism but also some regret for players like Catelin.

“I’m glad to be with her for her senior year but she’s one of those players that I wish wasn’t a senior so I could l have more time to work with her. From what I’ve seen so far, she’s a great leader on the floor, very athletic, works hard and there’s not a position on the floor that she can’t handle well. I film our practices and I like to watch the players body language and Catelin is always clapping, high fiving or helping others out and that’s what makes her a good leader,” said Burns.

Once she leaves Hilldale Catelin King plans to attend college and go into nursing.