By Rich Winter

605 Sports

Newell sophomore Jaelyn Wendt is well known across South Dakota for her exploits in rodeo. While the 6-foot-1 forward is lesser known for her skills on the basketball court, she’s leaving a lasting impression with every team she plays against. 

Through five games Wendt is averaging 14.3 ppg while hauling down state leading numbers in rebounds (16.5) and blocked shots (5) per game, according to maxpreps.com. 

“She’s a game changer for us defensively,” Newell coach Scott Wince said. 

A year ago Wendt was part of a senior-laden Newell squad that finished 17-5. During the last regular season game Wendt injured her knee. 

“She blew out her ACL, her MCL and meniscus and just got cleared to play in October,” Wince said. 

Wendt did not play volleyball this fall and she missed her favorite sport this summer, rodeo. 

Wince feels like Wendt has a lot more in the tank but has a solid foundation for her game to grow. 

“She dribbles and handles well and is just starting to get used to shooting 3-pointers,” he said. “We’re working on her footwork but she just has a knack for rebounding and blocking and altering shots.” 

Wince notes that Wendt does a nice job using her body and being in the right place. A defensive presence in the middle, the sophomore has some work to do on the offensive end. 

“She likes to slide out and hit the eight-footer but she’s not entirely comfortable with her back to the basket yet.” 

Wince calls Wendt care-free and an extremely coachable player. 

“I can get after her and she just nods her head,” he said. “She comes from a ranch family, a pull up your pant legs and get to work kind of family.” 

Newell graduated three seniors from their 2021 class. Two of those athletes are playing college basketball, one is competing collegiately in track and field. 

Through five games the Newell girls are 3-2 with wins over Bison, Lead-Deadwood and McIntosh. A young squad hosts a good Wall squad on Tuesday. 

A relatively young squad, Newell has a ton of girls out for basketball in their middle-school program. The Irrigators have eight players that are either freshman or sophomores. 

“We’re very inconsistent right now, we’re either winning by 20 or losing by 20,” he said. “We’re still looking for scorers and for players to fill roles but everyone is working hard and beginning to understand the process.”