Jaelyn Wheelock has been through it all over in recent years, but after surgeries on both knees, she's back with Cheboygan girls basketball.
CHEBOYGAN – Jaelyn Wheelock saw her chance.
And you knew darn well that she was going to take it.
Wheelock, a senior for the Cheboygan Chiefs, found some space, took the ball, and made a shot in a girls basketball game against Muskegon Mona Shores on Saturday, Dec. 13.
It was the first bucket she's scored in a competitive game on her home court in two seasons.
“I was excited,” Wheelock said. “I don’t feel the same as when I was two years ago, but I’m trying to find my way back, and I must find a different playing style. I must find out what works for me.”
To say the journey from almost two years ago until now for Wheelock has been exhausting both mentally and physically – especially knowing what she’s gone through – would be an understatement.
Following a promising sophomore basketball season in 2023, Wheelock looked poised to continue her success on the soccer field, where she thrived on the varsity as a freshman striker. But then came a devastating day in April for Wheelock, who dislocated her right knee and tore her Medial Patellofemoral Ligament (MPFL) during a game, ending her campaign.
Having a procedure done in August to clean up the knee, Wheelock gave it a go at the start of her junior basketball season. She felt good about her chances of getting through the season safely, but unfortunately, disaster struck again. This time, in a warmup before a scrimmage, Wheelock dislocated her left knee, tearing her MPFL, meniscus and breaking off her cartilage.
Season over – again.
With two bad knees, it might all be too much to overcome for most athletes out there.
But not for Wheelock, who was relentless in her pursuit of returning to the court.
Last January, Wheelock had surgery done on her left knee, then followed it up with right knee surgery last April. But that was only the beginning for Wheelock, who went through rigorous rehab sessions, including back-and-forth trips to Gaylord on school days, which made things even tougher.
“It was really hard trying to balance school and (rehab),” Wheelock said. “School got difficult because I had physical therapy twice a week in Gaylord, and that took a lot of my time, going to the games and wanting to get out there and not being able to. Sitting through soccer and basketball was difficult.”
Once this school year arrived, Wheelock was given the green light to return to basketball activities, something she was originally excited about. However, once she returned to the gym, everything was a little bit off, including her shooting and defense. In fact, she was struggling so badly that she even considered not playing her senior year.
“I couldn’t make a bucket. My defense was slow,” Wheelock said. “It wasn’t good.”
But knowing this might be it, Wheelock didn’t want to hang it up, especially knowing there were family members, players and coaches who were heavily supportive of her since the beginning.
“My family is very important to me, and then the whole team is very supportive. Mr. (Walter) Hanson has been so supportive and understanding,” Wheelock said. “Anything I needed, (my mom) was there for me. She would help me with anything. I feel like I’m close to all my teammates.”
So, Wheelock kept going and here she is, having a chance to conclude her hoops career. Perhaps no one is more thrilled to see Wheelock playing again than Cheboygan coach Walter Hanson, who’s seen his standout player persevere through extremely tough times.
“She’s put in so much time over the last four years with the program,” Hanson said. “She’s one of the first that believed in what we were doing, and she dedicated herself to getting better and helped get other kids in the gym, too. I give her a lot of credit to where we are today. It was heartbreaking to see her get those injuries, but it’s a relief to see her back.”
As Wheelock continues her senior season, there’s always a thought in her mind that something could go wrong again. But knowing the mental toughness she’s shown from her first significant injury until now, she’s going to battle through it all. Grateful to even be playing right now, Wheelock also has advice for those out there – if they've had have a significant injury – on how to deal with it.
“It’s really hard because everyone’s experiences are different, but I’d say find what motivates you, what makes you happy, talk to people, find things that you can do in your situation, and just take your mind off it,” Wheelock said.
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at [email protected]. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Toughness helped Cheboygan's Wheelock return after knee injuries
Category: General Sports
