Ryan Ladika/MDN Eric Wentz, center, is averaging 15.4 points per game on 41.2 percent shooting through the Magi’s first seven games this season.

In the wake of Minot High boys’ basketball standout Deonte’ Martinez’s graduation following the 2020-21 campaign, then-junior guard Eric Wentz was presented with an opportunity.

With the Magicians’ five-point loss to the West Fargo Packers in the 2021 Class A State Championship game, the rising senior had concluded his first year as a member of the Magi’s varsity squad.

Wentz impressed as a complement to Martinez, finishing in a tie for second with Darik Dissette in scoring on the team with 14.6 points per game and adding 118 total rebounds, 46 assists and 28 steals.

With Martinez and his 21.6 points per game out of the picture entering the new season, though, Wentz was faced with a chance to take on an increased role as one of three seniors on this year’s club.

“He’s had to become more of a playmaker and young man who is working to get other people shots,” Magicians head coach Dean Winczewski said. “We’re getting to see him be more unselfish, get people opportunities, and create for other people. He’s just going to continue to grow in that way as a basketball player.”

Wentz, now a more integral piece for his team both on and off the court, has reaped the benefits of his labor with his recent commitment to continue his basketball career at the collegiate level with Division III Macalester College following the conclusion of his high school career.

The senior announced his decision via Twitter Jan. 3, and while he is certainly thrilled with the opportunities the program will present to him athletically, he took special care to select a school that would best set him up for success long after his basketball career comes to an end.

“You’re not going to be able to play basketball forever,” Wentz said. “I’m obviously looking at going somewhere that is going to benefit me from an academic standpoint. The thing that just put it over the top is the coaching staff. I think that they really demonstrated that they wanted me, and I think that’s something I want to be a part of.”

The Scots’ all-time Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference postseason resume is brief, with just two wins in five games from 2002-2005 and no championships in their three total appearances.

The chance to aid in turning things around for the program, though, was especially attractive to Wentz after head coach Abe Woldeslassie’s staff began serious discussions with him over the last couple of months.

Off the court, Wentz plans to study computer science, stating his fascination with technology and belief in an inevitable increase in use of computers and the like in the future mesh well with what Macalester’s program has to offer.

The Minot native will look back on his time in the Magic City fondly, having attended Magicians basketball games since his middle school days. He has cherished each day donning the maroon and gold and believes the team’s work ethic to represent Minot High in the best possible light is what sets it apart from other schools.

“Eric’s a great kid, very thoughtful, very bright, and has turned into a tremendous leader,” Winczewski added. “He has turned himself into a very dynamic basketball player and has been one of those kids who we’ve had to lean on when we’ve needed baskets over the last two years. Fortunately, we get him for the rest of this year, but unfortunately that’ll be it.”