Lady Dogies tested early at Lander Challenge — Newcastle opens season against three 2024 state tournament teams

The Newcastle Dogie girls basketball team opened the 2025-26 season against a steep early test, facing Powell, Pinedale and host Lander at the East-West Challenge in Lander. All three opponents advanced to last season’s state tournament, and the weekend underscored both the challenge ahead and the areas where the Dogies are beginning to take shape.

Newcastle dropped its opener to Powell before falling to Pinedale and Lander, but head coach Mike Pederson said the experience was valuable for a team breaking in new roles and rotations.

“The Lady Dogies opened the season with three tough games,” Pederson said. “While the outcome is not what we envisioned, the team remains committed to growth and improvement as the season progresses. Every game teaches us something.”

Against Powell, seniors Brooklyn Benshoof and Sydney Pederson helped steady the Dogies early with seven and eight points respectively, while sophomore Zadyn Allen also provided an offensive spark with 8 points of her own as Newcastle worked through growing pains against the Panthers’ pressure and depth.

Newcastle showed flashes of progress against Pinedale, led by Sydney Pederson’s nine-point, seven-rebound effort. Brooklyn Benshoof added two points, three rebounds and two steals, while Emeree Tavegie finished with three points and three steals. Kaia Pederson and Josie Smith each scored two points, with Pederson pulling down four rebounds and Smith three.

In the finale against Lander, Von Eye provided a bright spot, hitting Newcastle’s lone 3-pointer while finishing with three points, five rebounds and two steals. Sydney Pederson added six points and four rebounds, and Kaia Pederson scored five points as the Dogies continued to rotate players into expanded roles.

Pederson said the weekend also marked a transition for several players.

“We are returning two starters from the previous season, Sydney Pederson and Kyndal Von Eye,” Pederson said. “Brooklyn Benshoof has moved into a starting role, and Josie Smith and Emeree Tavegie are taking on bigger responsibilities.”

Despite the early results, Pederson said the team’s response has been encouraging.

“Our players are resilient, and we’re confident in their ability to respond,” he said. “This group has heart, and we’re working hard every day to make sure the next chapter looks different. We’re excited for what’s ahead.”

Newcastle will remain on the road this week as the Dogies continue nonconference play, looking to apply the lessons learned at Lander before turning their attention to the heart of the 3A East schedule in 2026. The Dogies will play in Sundance on Thursday before traveling to Lead, South Dakota, for the Friday and Saturday portion of the annual Stateline Shootout.

Top Dogies 

Powell 72 - Newcastle 20
Sydney Pederson: 8 points
Zadyn Allen: 8 points
Brooklyn Benshoof: 7 points

Pinedale 66 - Newcastle 23
Sydney Pederson: 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals
Brooklyn Benshoof: 2 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Emeree Tavegie: 3 points, 3 steals

Lander 75 - Newcastle 27
Sydney Pederson: 6 points, 4 rebounds
Kaia Pederson: 5 points
Kyndal Von Eye: 3 points, 5 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 three-pointer