When Katie King closes out the basketball season this year, it will mark the end of an era.
The Kenmare High School senior has racked up so many awards and accomplishments, they wouldn't fit in a journal much less this small space.
She's trying to get her girls basketball team back to state for the third consecutive year. The Honkers (14-1) are ranked fourth in the Class B state poll.
With thanks going out to King for doing this, here's a little bit inside the mind of Kenmare's 6-footer:
--1. What are the similarities/differences in your approaches to volleyball and basketball?
My similarities are attending open gyms during summer break and working hard throughout the individual seasons. The biggest difference is being more involved in basketball throughout the years. I have been attending basketball camps since fifth grade in the summers and I have moved up to playing basketball both in and out of state as well as going to Australia this last summer to play internationally.
--2. With the awards/accomplishments you've garnered in your prep career, what do you think will stand out most in your mind in five years?
What I feel I will remember the most is the year we got Jason Schwarz as our head coach (and) how he has pushed us to work harder and improve ourselves and also as a team. Making my first appearance at the state tournement in my sophomore year and being selected for the second all state team. Returning the next year to the state tournement and receiving the same award.
--3. You lost by five points to defending state champion and No. 1-ranked Beach on the road. What can you take from that game?
I feel proud of my team for holding our own against the No. 1 team in the state. It was a great challenge for us to meet them on the court and hold up our game as well as we did. If we get the chance to meet up with them again, we have to work hard on defense, cut down our turnovers and play smart.
--4. On the lighter side, who do you consider to be the team's class clown, and who is the most straight-faced, and why?
I think that Kortni Miller and myself are the team clowns. We are always joking around and trying to keep practices fun. We know when to be serious when we need to be.
I think that Halie Nelson is the most straight-faced and serious. She really wants to improve her skills.
--5. What are your plans for the future, and which sport could you see yourself playing in college?
I plan on playing basketball in college. At this time I am thinking of pursuing a degree in education.
Chris Aarhus is a sportswriter for The Minot Daily News. He can be reached by e-mail at caarhus@minotdailynews.com