Neuqua Valley’s Lorraine Wieshuber grew nearly a foot from the start of fifth grade to the end of sixth grade.
That massive growth spurt made her the tallest girl in her class, a boost for someone who aspired to play college basketball. But it also nearly derailed that dream.
“I was born with a really narrow groove in my kneecap,” Wieshuber said. “The growth spurt caused my ligaments to be under a lot of tension.
“My IT bands, which run from my hip down to my knee, were under a lot of stress and didn’t have a lot of time to lengthen out because my bones grew so fast. That caused my kneecaps to sit up higher than they should have been. In that position, they can pop out really easily.”
Wieshuber began wearing knee braces in middle school, but her kneecaps dislocated regularly. The condition became so severe it led to surgery to reconstruct her medial patellofemoral ligament during her freshman year in January 2023.
Wieshuber returned to action as a sophomore, playing on the Wildcats’ junior varsity team. But bad luck struck again in a travel game.
“I was going up for a rebound, came down and completely tore through my surgery,” she said. “It was a chunky ligament they had put in, and I just ripped right through it.”
Wieshuber’s second reconstructive surgery followed in June 2024.
“After that, the doctor said, ‘I really don’t think it’s a good idea for you to play sports,’” Wieshuber said. “That was really disappointing for me to hear.
“I had dreams of having my senior night and hopefully playing in college, and suddenly they were being snatched away from me. That was really discouraging.”
But the 6-foot-3 Wieshuber wasn’t ready to quit.
“Basketball was so fulfilling for me to play,” she said. “I asked my physical therapist, ‘What can I do to get back?’
“She was like, ‘OK, we’re going to give you a workout plan, and you’re going to work as hard as you can.’”
Wieshuber did. Against all odds, the senior center returned to action for the Wildcats (1-3) and played about 10 minutes in the season opener against Glenbard West on Nov. 20.
“I honestly didn’t think that I was going to get to play for Neuqua again,” she said. “I was really proud of myself to be able to step on the court.
“It was also really nice to feel so in shape and that I wasn’t scared of getting reinjured. It was great to be part of the team again.”
Neuqua Valley senior guard Nalia Clifford is thrilled for Wieshuber.
“It’s awesome,” Clifford said. “We went to elementary school together and played middle school basketball together, so I wanted to play with her again.
“It’s fantastic that she’s able to get healthy and feel confident in her legs now.”
Indeed, Wieshuber doesn’t wear the braces anymore. She is showing her mettle against 6-1 senior center Michayla Stone in practice and wants to get more playing time.
“She’s so tall, she’s got fight in her, and she’s aggressive,” Clifford said. “When you’re that tall, everyone is shorter than you. They’re going to be pushing you around, and she fights right back.
“In practice, she’s got some great moves to the hoop with both hands, baby hooks, going in strong. I’m really excited for her.”
Neuqua Valley coach Mike Williams is cautiously integrating Wieshuber into the lineup. She played seven minutes during the Wildcats’ game against Stagg in the Hinsdale Central Thanksgiving Tournament on Nov. 26 and recorded a block and a steal.
“You’ve got to remember, she’s been removed from playing games for a couple years,” Williams said. “It’s just astonishing that she comes back physically at all.
“She’s frustrated, and I know how it is. Once you get a taste of something, you want more, and she wants to be a contributor. But she’s a great kid. She has everything in perspective.”
Williams envisions Wieshuber and Stone, a North Central College commit, eventually providing a one-two punch in the paint.
“I’m definitely the strongest I’ve ever been, which is really nice,” Wieshuber said. “I haven’t been able to run like I can now since elementary school.”
Wieshuber still believes she can play in college. Clifford doesn’t doubt her.
“Whatever she decides she wants to do, I know she’s going to work her butt off to be able to do it,” Clifford said. “She’s got a great attitude too.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter.