Katelyn Heil

By Chris Pobst ~ sd_sports@yahoo.com

DEXTER -- As the junior high girls basketball squad took a break from their summer basketball practice at Dexter Middle School, they all sat on a bench that was situated underneath the basket.

As they sat there, every one of them was eyeing a girl taking jump shots not two feet from the basket. One by one as the shots fell in, every junior high player following the girl seemed to be in awe of every shot and every move that she took.

Katelyn Heil

Thankfully for the young girls, they were watching an all-state guard from Dexter High School, the SEMO Conference leading scorer and the Standard Democrat Female Athlete of the Year: Katelyn Heil.

"I was surprised," said Heil about being named Athlete of the Year. "I thought it was really cool and then I just thought of all of my sports and what I've been doing these past three years in high school and how much fun it's been. I was excited."

Heil averaged 18.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game on the hardwood for the Lady Bearcats last season. The junior also led her team to a co-championship in the SEMO Conference (tying with Poplar Bluff and Jackson) for the first time in school history and a district title for the second time in school history. She finished second all-time for the most points in a season at Dexter. She also was the SEMO Conference Co-Player of the Year.

"The district title," Heil said, "has definitely been her career highlight so far."

But as far as highlights on the court, Heil provided many of those as well. None more prominent than when the Lady Bearcats played the state-ranked Portageville Lady Bulldogs on Jan. 17.

Heil scorched the net for 42 points, which tied the school record for most points in a single game. She also pulled down 10 rebounds in the 81-66 win.

Offensively, Heil is hard to slow down. But, defensively, she has the ability to shut down some of the best in the area.

"She's not only a great offensive threat but she's a great defensive threat, too," Dexter girls head coach Chad Allen said. "We actually put her on a lot of our best competition this year and she shut down a lot of them."

Early last season, Fredricktown's Courtney Kemp seemed like she would have her way with the Lady Bearcats the entire game as she scored 20 first-half points. But, the start of the second half brought on a new challenge for Kemp as Heil began to defend her.

Kemp only scored eight more points in the second half, while Heil netted 25.

"She's very hard-nosed, and she gets after it on the court," Allen said. "She's real aggressive and plays extremely hard. It's hard to get players like that, that play that hard and go that hard all game."

Not only is Heil an all-state selection in basketball, but she also finished in the top eight in doubles competition in tennis, giving her all-state honors in tennis as well.

"It was awesome," Heil said. "I enjoyed my doubles partner, Amanda Dooley. We had so much fun. We are friends on and off the court so we had fun together. We enjoyed playing together, so it worked out really well."

Heil also participated on the track team. Heil and the team have gone to sectionals twice and have placed fourth in districts in the 4x100- and the 4x200-meter relays.

"I enjoy it," Heil said about running track. "It's a fun sport. It s a lot to keep me in shape and I love that. Especially, just to be able to get out and run during the summertime."

Some of Heil s relay personal best times in the 4x100 is 53 seconds and in the 4x200, 1:52.

Heil shines in the classroom as well. She recently was selected to attend Missouri Girls State, which focuses on academics, interest in government and leadership abilities.

"She's definitely a great leader on and off the court," Allen said. "A lot of times, athletes just concentrate mainly on sports and so their academics get behind. Katelyn keeps everything on a good balance. Not only does she do great in the classroom and basketball, she excels in other sports. She's definitely a special player."

Out of the three sports Heil participates in, she says that basketball is definitely her calling.

"It's just been my sport ever since I was in third grade. Heil said. "That's all I have played and it's my favorite thing to do. It's what I hope to do in college and it's what I enjoy the best."

Heil said that improving on her game on her own is one of her goals for the upcoming season. And as a team goal, Heil hopes that all of the Lady Bearcats can just enjoy the camaraderie between them while enjoying the game she loves.

"And also as a team goal, just to get better and make sure that there is no drama and just playing together and making sure that we enjoy the game," Heil said. "Hopefully, this year we'll make it farther than sectionals."

As for college, Heil said she has no idea where she plans to attend after her senior season but, she's trying to figure out which fits best for her.

"I definitely plan on hopefully going to school somewhere for basketball," said Heil. "From there, I'd like to stay in a medical field where I'm actually staying active. So, physical therapy is where my interests are. I'm definitely using basketball to get me to school, too."

Luckily for the junior high team and other fans around the area, they will have one more year of watching Heil run track, serve up an ace or run the courts at Dexter High School. And rest assured, many of them will still watch in awe.