John Raffel
Sports Scene
Jessica Wenzel has had an excellent season on the basketball court for Ithaca’s girls’ team this season. But the Yellow Jackets, plagued by injuries, including one to Wenzel that sidelined her for several games, have been struggling in the win-loss column.
When she’s healthy, Wenzel has been averaging 10 points and 11 rebounds a game for coach Mark DeLap’s team. Injuries have also sidelined other starters throughout the season, including seniors Katie Hull and Alex May.
“Jessica has had two monster games,” said DeLap. “She had 18 points and 20 rebounds against Essexville-Garber and 20 points and 20 rebounds against Merrill. Jessica can go inside and outside. We’ve been blessed.”
Wenzel and 6’3″ center Lyndsey Lehman have combined for more than 500 rebounds.
“We’ve only been outrebounded twice,” DeLap said. “One was to Hemlock which has two twin towers. We’re strong underneath. We’ve had some inexperience scoring. We’re hoping to make a strong run before the season ends.”
Wenzel, who is in her third varsity season, bruised her tibia the second game of this season against Michigan Lutheran Seminary. She said having the Christmas break helped her to heal without missing additional games.
“It’s still sore,” she said. “I’m not all the way back. But I’m close.”
But it didn’t take long for Wenzel to impact the Ithaca team after her return.
“My first game back, I didn’t shoot well and wound up with 12 points,” she said. “I think I’m getting over being scared of getting hurt.”
Wenzel is in a unique role this season for the Yellow Jackets.
“I’ve moved out to a wing to start the game,” she said. “When the subs come in, then I move back into the post. We have a young team.”
When it comes to playing a post vs. a wing, “there’s different things you have to do. It doesn’t affect me too much,” Wenzel said. “I think rebounding is the best part of my game. I’m pretty good at boxing and getting the ball. I need to get more consistent with my shot.”
She also plays volleyball and soccer and says basketball “is by far my best sport. But I’m pretty good at volleyball too.”