Jayla Wehner went from having doubts about a season happening to earning a starting spot on the Marian women’s basketball team.

The Norwin graduate and college freshman has become an important backcourt player for Marian, a private school in Indianapolis that fields a prominent NAIA program.

With covid-19 lurking at every turn, nothing is guaranteed in 2020. No sport at any level is above the crushing effects of the virus.

Many basketball teams at various levels throughout the country are shut down. But Marian managed to play and Wehner quickly found a role as a facilitating point guard.

“I was thrilled that there would be a season,” the 5-foot-5 Wehner said. “I knew that coach (Katie) Gearlds would do whatever it took to have a chance to play. I was so excited to get the opportunity to have a college game, especially after all the hard work, preparation and sacrifices that the team made to get to be able to play.”

Wehner started Nov. 17 at Indiana East as the Knights ran to a 94-62 victory. She had four points, six assists and three rebounds in 23 minutes.

Pregame jitters came and went for Wehner, who discovered she was in the opening five just minutes before tip-off.

“I didn’t find out that I was starting until about 30 minutes before the game,” Wehner said. “We do a few warm-up drills and stretch and then we go into the locker room for the gameplan, and that’s where I found out. I was definitely surprised when I saw my name up there.”

Wehner, known for her drive-and-kick ability at Norwin and at the AAU level, is adapting her game to the college level.

Playing deep into the Class 6A postseason aided the four-year letterwinner’s transition.

Norwin won 41 games in Wehner’s final two seasons and made the WPIAL semis and PIAA quarterfinals two years ago with her at the point.

She liked the winning tradition at Marion, which won NAIA national titles in 2015-16 and ‘16-17.

“The biggest difference is the physicality of the teams and players and having to play with a shot clock,” Wehner said. “With that being said, I think that playing at the highest level in high school has been a huge help in preparing me for the transition to college ball.”

In eight games, Wehner averaged 4.6 points, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals, while playing 17.3 minutes a game for the Knights (6-2), the same mascot as Norwin.

Her family has been watching her games on the internet and she, in turn, followed her father and brother with the WPIAL champion Central Catholic football team.

Jim Wehner is an assistant coach, and Payton Wehner is a freshman quarterback.

Payton suffered a broken leg in the WPIAL Class 6A championship and saw a groundswell of support — big sister included.

“We are a close family,” Jayla said. “I talk to him daily whether it is a Facetime or just texting. I am always there for moral support and to help whenever he needs it, but he’s tough. As much as I’m there for him, he doesn’t usually need it. He has a drive and worth ethic like I’ve never seen before. I give him a lot of credit for being as good as he has through this. I know he will get through this and be back better than before.”

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