High School Sports Preview: Experienced Wildcats ready for deep run
JOSH McDONALD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 month, 4 weeks AGO
The Kellogg High School Boys Basketball Team. Pictured from the left is Owen Roach, Dalton Coburn, Cyrus Reed, Charlie Johnson, Cayden Honnerlaw, Draedan Taylor, Ty Cheney, Bodie Desmarias, Porter Lewis, Evan Vindasius, Andrew Lewis, and Soa Kim-Stayton.
JOSH McDONALD
The Kellogg Wildcats enter the 2025-26 season with a mix of redemption and optimism. After falling short in last year’s district championship, sixth-year head coach Mike Martin believes this group has the talent and experience to make noise in the Central Idaho League and beyond.
“Coming off of a district championship loss last year, anything other than competing for the top spot will underwhelm compared to where our goals are with this group,” Martin said. “The hope is that the season ends down in Boise with this group.”
Roster Outlook
Despite losing two seniors to graduation and defensive standout Radley McDonald to a summer ACL injury, Kellogg returns eight of 11 players from last year’s squad. That continuity gives the Wildcats a rare advantage in experience and leadership.
“This might be the deepest team I’ve had in my six years at Kellogg,” Martin noted. “Hopefully the lessons these guys have learned logging so many minutes as underclassmen pay off now that we’re junior and senior heavy for the first time in three years.”
Players to Watch
Offensively, Draeden Taylor and Porter Lewis are expected to carry the scoring load. But Martin says the team’s depth means others will shine too. “Ty Cheney, Evan Vindasius and Cayden Honnerlaw will have nights where they’re our most impactful players,” he said.
Goals and Expectations
The Wildcats’ mission is clear: avenge last year’s heartbreak and punch a ticket to state.
“The core of this group had a golden opportunity to punch a ticket to state last year, so our goals will be putting ourselves in the best possible spot for districts and hoping we can knock off St. Maries and Orofino for a spot down at state,” Martin explained.
Key Dates
The Wildcats’ road to this goal doesn’t gradually get tougher. Kellogg will play five games between Dec. 2 –12, including 5A teams from Moscow and Lakeland, the reigning 2A champs from Kendrick, and a road trip to Orofino. They also open against Lewiston at the annual Avista Holiday Tournament in Lewiston at the end of December.
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