By Tiffany L. Rehbein
The Turner Tornadoes hope to use team quickness and a new head coach to turn around a dismal finish last year.
The Tornadoes, who finished 1-13 in conference play last season, have speed and first-year head coach Chad Maczka this year.
"Offensively, we are not much for size, but we have some decent quickness," Maczka said.
Senior Dallas Egbert poses as the strength inside. He tallied double digits in opening-weekend play.
The Tornadoes played at Rudyard last weekend in junior varsity play. Friday, they fell to the J-I JV squad, 48-47, and, Saturday, Turner defeated the KG JV 52-36.
Lone junior Andrew Jones and sophomore Michael Van Voast are quick upfront for the Tornadoes.
"I think that our defense is probably our strongest asset right now," Maczka said. "Through the weekend, we played pretty well defensively." In two games, the Tornadoes have allowed an average of 41.5 points per game.
Maczka has brought a new defensive philosophy to the program, but is using the same offensive structure that the boys have used in the past.
While its defense was strong throughout the weekend, team rebounding was on a roller-coaster during the two games.
"I stressed that, and they came out and performed," Maczka said. "It was nice to see they were coachable and listening."
Seniors Tom Molnar and Florian Steinmeyer bring some veteran experience to the team.
Sophomores Matt Klindworth and Curtis Inman should work the forward position for Turner this winter.
New faces this year inclue freshmen Morgan Klindworth and Robert Van Voast.
The Tornadoes close the '99 year at home, meeting Dodson Friday and Whitewater Saturday. Both are non-conference contests.
Turner returns to action Friday, Jan. 7, when they travel to Hays and play the Thunderbirds for their first conference game of the year.
Turner Tornadoes Boys' Basketball Schedule
Dec.
17
Dodson
Home
7:30 p.m.
18
Whitewater
Home
7:30 p.m.
Jan.
7
Hays/LP
Away
7:30 p.m.
8
K-G
Home
7:30 p.m.
13
Harlem J.V.
Away
7 p.m.
15
Box Elder
Away
7:30 p.m.
21
Dodson
Away
7 p.m.
22
Whitewater
Away
7 p.m.
27
Harlem J.V.
Home
7 p.m.
29
Rocky Boy
Home
7:30 p.m.
Feb.
3
Havre Soph.
Away
7 p.m.
4
Hays/LP
Home
7:30 p.m.
5
K-G
Away
7:30 p.m.
10
Havre Soph.
Home
6 p.m.
12
Box Elder
Home
7:30 p.m.
19
Rocky Boy
Away
7:30 p.m.
23-26
District - Havre High
TBA
