After hearing stories from his grandfather about being a cop, Kyle Guice has had the goal of being a police officer.

"He used to tell me all kinds of interesting stories," Guice said. "It seemed like something I'd be interested in. I just like the stories he'd always tell me - they were always super interesting to me. He's living a pretty good life right now being retired. It just always seemed kind of interesting to me."

The 6-foot-6 senior lefty-shooting post/wing is in his fourth year as the law and order inside the key for the Lake City High boys basketball team, looking for a second straight trip to the state 5A tournament.

Guice is averaging 13 points and eight rebounds a game so far this season.

"We were young last year," Guice said. "We returned seven players with varsity experience (for the 2012-13 season). This year, we've got eight seniors and we've got high expectations this year."

Lake City is 9-4 entering Friday's 5A Inland Empire League home game against Post Falls. The T-Wolves are 2-1 in league.

"We just need to buy into the offense and what coach (Jim) Winger is saying," Guice said. "He knows his stuff and what's going to be best for us. We just need to listen to him and go out and execute."

Lake City went 0-2 last year in its first trip to state since 2010.

"It would mean a lot to get back there," Guice said. "We didn't perform well at all last year. Some redemption would be really nice to us this year. I think part of it was that we didn't know what to expect really. We had too high of expectations of ourselves and got shown up a little bit."

Guice spent last summer playing on the Seattle-based Emerald City Pioneers travel basketball team, competing against the best of the best players in the nation.

"I had a really good summer last year and had some good colleges looking at me," Guice said. "In the last two weeks of July, I had two bad tournaments and it (recruiting interest) kind of slowed down after that."

Guice spent the entire month of July away from home, whether traveling with the team or remaining in the Seattle area with his teammates.

"It was hard and part of why I struggled," Guice said. "Being away from home and traveling to Vegas takes a toll on you. It's really fun getting to play against guys that are going to be future (NBA) lottery picks. It's crazy and a once-in-a-life opportunity that some kids only dream about doing, but it's something you've got to do."

Playing the small forward, allowing him to roam the perimeter a little more, has helped his all-around game, Winger said.

"This year, with the way his game has come along, I think he plays a lot better and with more confidence out there," Winger said. "I think that's where he'll play at the next level and it really fits us and the personnel we have on this year's team. The way he's helped us has been incredible. We'll still do some things with him down low, but it (playing on the perimeter) has worked out pretty well this year."

Among those interested are NAIA schools Lewis and Clark State College and Carroll College, NCAA Division II Seattle Pacific, Division I Air Force and Eastern Washington, as well as North Idaho College of the NJCAA.

"I think the plan right now is to go to NIC," Guice said. "They've got a good criminal justice program, so that's something I've been thinking about."

Guice, who had the recruiting process begin as a sophomore, said he's enjoyed it thus far.

"It's fun having people chasing after you," Guice said. "It's good to have people wanting you to get to like them and come play for them."

It was that same recruiting process that got Guice on the football field for the first time last fall as the Timberwolves' punter.

"It took quite a bit of convincing to get me to play football," Guice said. "I'd always wanted to play football and have always enjoyed punting. It was my senior year, so I just said, 'Whatever, I'm going for it.'"

Guice played soccer until seventh grade before breaking his foot. Once healed, he opted to play basketball only in high school.

"I really didn't want to get hurt for basketball," Guice said. "All my friends wanted me to come out and play (football) and they were talking to me about how much fun it was, so I finally just gave in."

After some early jitters, Guice felt right at home on the football field.

"The first time I played, it was kind of nerve-wracking," Guice said.

"But I'm glad I did it. Just being with all those guys, I haven't been with a team like that with all the guys and coaches. It was a really good experience."

"I thought it was great," Winger said of his star basketball player playing football. "I'm a firm believer that kids should play multiple sports. I think kids are better off competing and using their ability in a lot of different sports. I thought it was just great he was out there competing with the football team and competing."

Guice had 12 points in the Timberwolves' 53-47 win against crosstown rival Coeur d'Alene in Friday's Fight for the Fish spirit game. The game made both the Timberwolves and Vikings tied in the league at 2-1, with each having a win on the other's home floor.

"I think we've got a lot of chemistry," Guice said. "I've played with this group of guys since I was in elementary school and I've known them most of my life. Just being around them for so long, we really know each other well."

"I think he's just cut it loose," Winger said. "He played with a bunch of seniors as a freshman and was lucky enough to play with a group like that. It just doesn't happen with basketball. He's played in so many games over his career, so I just told him to go out and cut it loose and have some fun with this year. When he's going hard and getting after it, we are too. We feed off him and he's really showing what he can do. He's such a nice kid and been an absolute pleasure to work with."