DALLAS – Growing up in South Dakota, Jayda Batchelder was an avid basketball player and fan. However, her home state didn’t have a professional basketball team and she missed the sense of comradery and the joy that comes from a community rallying a sports team.
Then in 2009, Batchelder moved to Dallas and the timing was perfect because two years later she witnessed Dallas Mavericks history.
“My dad drove to Dallas all the way from South Dakota to go with me to the semifinals game against the Lakers,” Batchelder recalled. “I remember standing outside the stadium decked out in Mavs gear and with a broom in hand as we cheered for a sweep!