Bio: Trunkel, Branden - Scores (1,000th Point - 2020)

Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Trunkel, Gaier, Miller, King, Diestler, Katcher, Weiers

----Source: The Clark County Press, (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 12/16/2020

Trunkel Scores (1,000th Point - 2020)

By Valorie Brecht



Neillsville Warrior Branden Trunkel recently scored his 1,000th point during a Dec. 7 basketball game at Loyal High School. Valerie Brecht/Clark County Press photos

Last week, Neillsville High School senior Branden Trunkel achieved a feat that few high school basketball players ever reach. He scored his 1,000th point.

“[I feel] good. I was hoping to do it last year, but I’m just glad we got to play this year,” he said.

Trunkel was only two points shy of 1,000 heading into Neillsville’s season opener at Loyal Dec. 7. Neillsville got the ball to start. The Warriors kept swinging the ball around the arc, trying to get it back to Trunkel so he could score. Trunkel attempted a three but missed. On Neillsville’s next possession, another player attempted a three but also missed.

The Warriors fouled on their next possession, causing Loyal to get the ball back right away. Just over two minutes into the game, Loyal went up 5-0.

When Neillsville got the ball back, Trunkel took another three-point shot but it bounced off the rim. Loyal captured the rebound but Trunkel came from the other side of the court and stole a pass intended for Loyal’s Brody Miller. Trunkel powered back to the basket and made a layup to finally get his two points, leading to a standing ovation from Neillsville faithful. Coach Mike Gaier also called a celebratory timeout.



Neillsville crowd holds up signs and applauds to congratulate Branden Trunkel after he scored his 1,000th point.

Trunkel went on to score 13 more points in the loyal game, including three three-pointers.

“I’m proud of him [Trunkel]. His hard work paid off,” said Gaier. “He definitely earned it; he’s put in a lot of hours of shooting practice.”

Trunkel said that with the exception of this past summer when it was cancelled, he has played on a travel9ing summer basketball team during his high school summers to keep honing his skills. He also stays active year round.

“He’s been a big player for our team ever since his freshman year,” said Gaier.

For the past three years, Trunkel has scored the most points of any player on the team, other than Alex King. Last year, Trunkel scored 359 points with an average of 15 points per game. He also had an average of 3.2 rebounds per game. The year before that, he averaged 15.2 points per game and racked up 365 points. In 2017-18, he averaged 11.9 points per game and had a total of 274 points.

Trunkel’s shooting percentage has shown improvement in the last year. His freshman year, he had a .425 field goal percentage. Sophomore year, it was .419. Last year, it was .492.

Trunkel realizes he will need to take on more of a leadership role this year with pivotal players including King, Monte Diestler, Josiah Katcher and Isaac Weiers having graduated last year. But he said heads up for the challenge.

“I want to get every player on our team confident and wanting to win,” he said.

His goals for the season include his team winning the Cloverbelt Conference making it deep into the playoffs.