Everything Katie Keilig touches seems to turn to gold.

She helped lead Napa High’s basketball team to two Monticello Empire League titles, a CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I semifinals visit and a second-place finish in the 2006 NorCals.

But she didn’t retire once she left the Indians.

As a freshman, Keilig was a part of Sierra College’s second-place showing in the state tournament and a 32-5 overall record. She earned Honorable Mention in the Big 8 Conference that season at the Rocklin school. She earned First Team honors as a sophomore and led the Wolverines to a 12-2 conference record and 26-7 overall post.

Because of her outstanding prowess on the court, Keilig will continue to play two more years, with Sonoma State’s NCAA Division II program. She’s still undecided on a major but is leaning toward criminal justice.

The Seawolves have a long-standing tradition of success, especially since head coach Mark Rigby stepped on the scene 10 years ago.

Rigby is the winningest coach in Sonoma’s women’s basketball history. He’s led the Seawolves to a 164-111 mark overall and a 123-81 record in conference play. At home, they’ve won 72 percent of their contests since 1997.

They were 20-10 overall in 2007-2008 and finished 13-7 in the CCAA.

“I see myself fitting in well,” Keilig said, adding that she’ll be playing on a partial scholarship. “I’ll be guarding bigger girls than at the JC level so that will be a change.”

Napa head coach Darci Lewis added, “She’s gotten a lot better. She was great at Napa High, but she’s a lot stronger, she’s more confident and her skills have become more defined. She’s a better all-around player. It’s just a matter of taking it to the next level. I was really impressed when I saw her play (at Sierra).”

Rigby has been a fan of Keilig since her years under Lewis’ lead. Keilig was the Indians’ post player and despite her 5-foot, 11-inch stature, she continued playing down low at Sierra. She’ll do the same at Sonoma.

“We lack experience in the post, especially in the high post, and I think that’s a strength of Katie’s,” Rigby said. “Our kids enjoyed playing with her. They liked her competitiveness.

“I don’t recruit very many junior college players and I only do if I think they can play right away. I think her maturity and competitiveness, with three seniors leaving, there’s a void there and I certainly think she can fill that.”

Keilig averaged 14.3 points per game as a sophomore at Sierra while shooting 51 percent from the floor. She drained 82 percent of her free throws and managed three games where she went 10-for-10.

Her game-high was a 31-point performance against Shasta.

She tallied 4.5 boards, 2.4 assists and about one steal a night.

“She was definitely one of our leaders and inside presence this year,” Sierra head coach Brandie Murrish said. “She’s got great footwork, knows how to score, uses her body really well and is a very strong kid. One of her greatest assets is to pass the ball and see her teammates. She’s a great team player. She wants to play at a high level and wants to win and expects the same from her teammates.”

Murrish was blunt when she explained why Sonoma was a good fit for Keilig.

“They win,” she said. “They will compete for a regional title and hopefully represent nationally. I think Sonoma is a great fit for her because they’re uptempo. She’s not a 6-4 player, so she’s able to get up the floor quicker. With the addition of her, they’re definitely going to reach their goals. Coach (Rigby) has a great reputation. She’s excited to go in and help them win a conference championship.”

Keilig’s résumé is chock-full of accomplishments on the court. That could put a lot of pressure on some athletes, but Keilig takes it all in stride.

“I’ve been on very successful teams,” Keilig acknowledged. “I don’t have to be playing on a successful team to be happy. I’m toward the end of my playing career; I’m just looking to play still. It’s always nice to win games but I love basketball. It will be OK if we’re not playing for a state championship every season. I can’t expect that every single season, but I’m still going to try.”