Clayton senior Melissa Wren is a great example of a team leader dealing with the hand your dealt. She is the lone returning starter on a team filled with freshmen for the most part while learning the ways of new coach Nathan Harrington.

“She’s the heart and soul of our team,” said Harrington. “Most of the girls around her have little or no high school experience so she’s the team leader and team scorer for us. She does a good job of setting the tone in practice and expecting everyone to work hard.”

Wren also plays softball for the Lady Bulldogs and probably likes playing outside on the diamond a little more than being inside on the basketball court. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t give round ball her all.

“With the new coach practices are a little different and there’s a different atmosphere this year with so many new girls. But in the end, he wants what all coaches want-hard work and effort and I think we do a pretty good job of giving that to him,” said Wren.

Melissa got a late start in athletics, not getting involved until she was in middle school. Her mom played softball and her grandma played basketball and their love of sports rubbed off on her. With all she has been asked to do this year, Melissa admits there were challenges early on.

“There was a lot of pressure on me to score more points and be the team leader, but I feel like I’m getting used to it and the other girls are playing more relaxed as well. I think leading by example is the biggest thing. You can’t be a leader if you’re not doing what you’re telling the others to do.”

Melissa cites a former teammate as the kind of leader she strives to be.

“Hannah Garrison was a senior last year, and she was the kind of leader I want to be as well as being a good player,” said Wren who’s averaging nine points, four rebounds and three assists a game from her point guard spot this year.

Melissa plans to attend Eastern State College and study nursing after high school and talked about her legacy.

“I would like people to remember me the way I think of Hannah-as a person who put in the hard work to be a leader for the team.”