Wildcats look to be competitive

COLTON — Under the direction of new head coach Nate Bailey, the Colton Wildcats girls basketball team will aim to be a force on the court.

The Wildcats will have two seniors in Ella Nollmeyer at center and Clair Moehrle at guard. Nollmeyer was an all-league selection last season.

Prospective starters include Nollmeyer, Moehrle, Leah Musson, Rory Weber and Kiya Soza. The total roster is seven players on varsity, five on JV.

“Being a first-year coach with this team, it takes time for both the players and myself to adapt to each other’s styles,” Bailey said. “They are adjusting to a new approach and I am learning about their individual strengths and how to best put them in positions to succeed. This process is essential for building trust and creating a system that works for everyone. I am excited about the progress we have made so far.”

While this is Bailey’s first season coaching the Wildcats, he’s been coaching for 10-plus years. He is assisted by Dakota Patchin this season.

“I grew up playing in this league, so being back in it now as a coach is really special to me,” Bailey said. “This league has always been one of the strongest and most competitive in the state and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of it again.”

Bailey said his team’s greatest strength is the strong bond between the players and coaches and the ability to be versatile.

“The connection we have with one another creates a supportive and unified environment, which is key to our success,” Bailey said. “Additionally, our versatility allows us to adapt to different situations on the court, making us a tough team to face.”

Last season the Wildcats finished with a record of 11-5. This year, the team will work to improve on that success and make a push come district and state tournament time.

“Our goal this season is to be competitive in every opportunity against our opponents,” Bailey said. “We are focusing on building a strong culture that emphasizes teamwork, resilience and personal growth with our student athletes. We are excited about the season ahead and the chance to represent our school and community.”

Colton opened the season with a 67-53 loss against the Genesee (Idaho) Bulldogs on Tuesday, Dec. 3.

Nollmeyer led the Wildcats with 23 points and Moehrle scored 12. Genesee’s Chloe Grieser scored 32 points and Monica Sennett notched 27.