RECORD BREAKER

BHS Senior Wren Wheeler rewrites the record books, becoming the All-Time Leading Scorer in BHS Girls Basketball History
​By: Micah Morris

     Wren Wheeler elevated above the other nine players on the court, and with a flick of the wrist, the Broadway High School senior etched her name into the BHS Record Book.  In front of a raucous crowd on hand for the Region 3C Quarterfinals, Wheeler became the record holder for all-time career points in the history of Broadway Girls Basketball.  As the crowd rose to its collective feet to congratulate the senior, Public Address Announcer, Jeff Elliott welcomed the former record holder, Melody Derrow Hinkle, a 1987 BHS graduate, to the floor to present Wheeler with the game ball in a symbolic “passing of the torch” moment nearly four decades in the making.

     Wren Wheeler made an impression on the Broadway coaches even before she ever played a minute at the varsity level.  BHS Assistant Coach Ben Elliott remembers seeing Wheeler as a freshman express the desire to play at the varsity level.  “Wren made an impression on all of us.” Elliott reflected when remembering back to Wheeler’s early days on the court. 

     As a freshman, Wren made an immediate impact for the Gobblers, scoring 267 points during her first year on the Varsity squad.  “Wren is the hardest working, most dedicated to her craft kid that I’ve ever coached.” Former BHS Girls Basketball Coach Jeremy Fulk said.  Coach Fulk was the Head Coach during the first two years of Wheeler’s career and has continued to follow her career from a distance.  “She’s one of the top two kids that I’ve ever coached in any sport.” Fulk replied, when asked what it was like to coach Wheeler.

     As a junior, Wheeler reached the 1,000 point plateau in the final game of the season, a gut wrenching playoff loss at Western Albemarle that ended the Gobblers year.  But Wheeler returned for her senior season, driven to succeed and lead the team once again.  Wheeler did just that, leading the Gobblers to a First Round bye in the Region 3C Tournament and a chance to host a Region playoff game for the first time since BHS won the State Championship in 2017. 

     After reaching the 1,000 point mark, the career points record came into focus for Wren, whose current coach at BHS also had a unique perspective throughout the last two seasons.  Zach Yoder, who is the All-Time Career Points Leader in Boys Basketball at BHS, provided little insight to Wheeler in her chase throughout the last two years.  “I haven’t said a word about it… but, I’ll say plenty to her after tonight,” Yoder said prior to the record setting game.

     Wren’s intensity and drive to succeed has always been striking for Yoder, including the time when the then BHS junior wanted to sit down with her new coach to talk about the goals she had for herself prior to her junior year.  “She was the only kid to do that,” Yoder recalled.  That drive was never focused her own success but was centered on the success of the entire team.  “She is such a selfless player… a team player,” Yoder said of Wheeler.  “She cares about those things [personal stats], but she cares so much more about us winning and that what makes her such a special player.”

     Wren’s dedication goes beyond the hardwood, to her school and her community.  “Wren is a positive influence and a leader to everyone.” BHS Senior and Basketball Co-Captain Addison Shanholz said of her fellow captain.

     Not only does Wheeler thrive on the Basketball and Volleyball courts for BHS, she also serves as a mentor to those around her.  She is active in the Unified Basketball Program at BHS as well as in other programs in the school.  “The most important thing is to be an ambassador for your community and Wren consistently checks that box.” Ben Elliott said.

     After a 26-point outburst in the victory over Wilson Memorial, Wheeler has continued to add to her career total (1,359 points and counting as of this writing).  Having already set multiple records at BHS, Wheeler will leave as perhaps the most decorated Gobblers player of all-time.  But the humbleness will always be what sets her apart. “I couldn’t have done this without any of my teammates,” Wheeler said just hours after breaking the record.

     Wheeler’s basketball career will continue after her playing days end in Broadway.  With plans to play at Shenandoah University, Wren’s goals are bigger than basketball, as she will undoubtedly continue to change the world, just as she rewrote the record books at Broadway High School.

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Artwork by Braelyn Grandle