Ryder Heitz
NEWELL—The Newell High School girls’ basketball team of 2011 solidified their legacy with their induction into the Newell Hall of Fame on May 2.
Led by head coach Scott Wince and assistant coach Blake Dahlberg, the team finished their regular season undefeated with a record of 20-0, demonstrating their skill and cohesion the court. Throughout the season, the team showcased remarkable talent and dedication, with each player contributing to its collective success.
The team’s flawless regular season performance was just the beginning of their climb to the top. First, they entered the District 16B by defeating Harding County and Lemmon. Shortly after, they defeated McIntosh to claim the Region 8B title and entered the SDHSAA State B tournament as the top seed.
In the state tournament, they encountered formidable competition but remained confident and emerged victorious over Arlington and Centerville. The final championship game against Summit ended in double overtime, and the Irrigators lost the state title by a heartbreaking 2 points (42-40). Still, the team earned the runner-up title and honors.
Additionally, the 2011 team garnered numerous accolades over their varsity careers, including appearances in the SDHSAA state tournament in 2009 (3rd place), 2010 (5th place), and 2011 (2nd place). They were Conference (BHC/LMC) champions for three consecutive years, secured the title of West River Tourney Champions three times, maintained a remarkable 34-game home winning streak, and achieved an outstanding overall will record of 92-8.
This talented team did more than just secure a spot in the Hall of Fame; their story and legacy will inspire future generations of athletes to push beyond their limits and pursue excellence both on and off the court.
Left to right: Cierra Boylan, Megan Mutchler, Karissa Orr, Scott Wince, Coral Starr, Jordan Trohkimoinen, and Taylor Trohkimoinen. Heitz photo
