Wendt aims for goals

Kellogg senior point guard Cami Wendt is all about setting goals – and achieving them.

The Wildcats basketball team captain averages about 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals per game.

What she wants to do in the future, both personally and with the team, is what defines her.

“We want to compete for first place in our league, so that will probably get us a chance to go to state,” said Wendt, who points to Bonners Ferry as the stiffest competition. “We also have a goal of being more aggressive than the other team and shooting at least 66 percent from the free-throw line.

“And we really want to be a fast-breaking team, because we have a lot of team speed.”

She gives herself and her team about a B-plus at this early point in the season.

“We haven’t really had any league games to gauge where we’re at right now,” Wendt said of the 5-2 Wildcats. “But we’ve won a lot of non-league games, and that’s a pretty good start.

“We’ve got five players out there on the court constantly that can handle the ball and do well under pressure.”

That top-to-bottom consistency seems to be the key for Kellogg.

“Our team chemistry is probably the best of any year that I’ve been on varsity,” said Wendt, a three-year starter at the point on a team that finished fourth in the Intermountain League a year ago. “Even though there is such a variety in ages, we really mix together and get along really well.

“We’ve got a really deep bench this year; it should be a good season.”

Wendt has put in the time and looks forward to reaping the rewards.

“I’ve been to a lot of camps and worked on my game a lot in the off-season,” said Wendt, a three-sport athlete who was All-IML in volleyball last season, runs track and also sports a nearly perfect grade-point average. “I think I’ve learned how to step up and be a team leader.

“My personal goals are to try and make the all-league team in basketball, to push the ball up the floor all the time, play good defense and lead the team in steals and assists.”

Wendt is intent on continuing to play basketball after her high school days have ended.

“I most definitely want to play in college,” she said, adding that she wants to study primary education and become a science teacher. “Maybe at NIC or another community college.

“It really doesn’t matter where I go – I’ll go almost anywhere – as long as I can keep playing basketball.”