Three recent Powell High School graduates had one last opportunity to shine in their high school careers, as Addi Holcomb, Alex Jordan and Saige Kidd competed at the Wyoming Coaches Foundation’s All-Star games in Casper on July 26.

Holcomb was part of a winning effort by the North team’s volleyball team, winning the first two sets 25-16 and 25-18 before the South rallied to tie the match at two sets apiece with 25-18 and 25-20 victories.

The North held off the comeback attempt, winning the final set 15-13 for the 3-2 set victory.

Jordan was part of a boys’ basketball North squad that jumped out to the lead immediately and never looked back, earning a 90-72 win to cap off his high school career.

In girls’ basketball, Kidd and the North squad were unable to overcome an extremely talented South team that used a big first quarter to roll to a 79-55 victory.

However, the week as a whole ended up as a big victory for Kidd.

Prior to the event Kidd did not intend to continue her athletic career in college, cherishing each moment throughout her senior season believing that she was attending college strictly for education.

“Going into my senior year of basketball I was not necessarily dreading it, but I wasn’t as excited. I had such a successful volleyball season and I knew that basketball was kind of on the backburners for me at that point,” Kidd said. “But playing in that All-Star game and kind of getting to experience playing with new people and under a new coach, it was just kind of a breath of fresh air.”

Heading to Casper to practice and prepare for the event Kidd realized she had an opportunity to compete at that next level, regaining her confidence she lacked throughout her senior year.

“It meant a lot to me (to be selected). It kind of just proved to myself that I was good enough to play with all these upper level athletes,” Kidd said. “That was just a big thing for me, it proved to me that I was good enough because my self-confidence lacked throughout the season. Then after not getting All-Conference or All-State basketball, I thought I was done, so it was a really big opportunity for me and I kind of ran with it. I loved every second of it.”

After the contest she contacted Northwest coach Cody Helenbolt, and she took advantage of her re-found passion and grabbed the Trappers’ final roster spot this upcoming season.

“I think before the All-Star game I probably wouldn’t have gone this route. I just had so much fun at the All-Star game and it really led me to find my love for the sport again,” Kidd said.

Playing in the contest Kidd was able to play for a new group of coaches from Buffalo, seeing the game from a new perspective which allowed her to play more freely.

“I enjoyed it a lot. They provided me with a different view on some things, and it was kind of a breath of fresh air. It allowed me to be more free, instead of having to worry about set instructions and set things like that, because we were all learning and trying to figure each other out,” Kidd said.

While she was not out competing on the court, Kidd was able to watch her former classmates playing in their own respective contests, as she enjoyed watching Holcomb spike it one last time before she heads to Montana State University-Billings and Jordan competing before he continues his career alongside Kidd at Northwest this fall.

“It was amazing, I was so proud of her and AJ both,” Kidd said. “I just thought it was really cool to have one Powell person participate in each sport.”

While on the court, Kidd had one more chance to compete against her now future teammate in McKinlee Covolo from Mountain View, with Kidd looking forward to joining Covolo and Addison Hickey (also of Mountain View) on the Trappers this upcoming season.

“They’re good players, and I’ve always enjoyed playing against them. I think they’re tough and I enjoyed the competition,” Kidd said. “It’s going to be exciting to play on the same team with them and I think we might just be a powerhouse.”