District 9C Extra: A family affair in Turner

High school basketball has always held a special place in the close-knit community of Turner. But for Kristina, Raegan and Rylee Conlan of the Turner girls basketball team, the 2014-15 season is one that has become a family affair, and one the three sisters will never forget.

Kristina Conlan is a senior for the Tornadoes, who has enjoyed playing basketball for Turner the past few years. Yet, her previous seasons can’t compare to this one as she was given the opportunity to play with her younger, twin sisters, Raegan and Rylee, who are each in the eighth grade.

And to put the cherry on top, Turner had its best season in recent memory, winning eight of 18 games overall and posting a 4-10 record in District 9C.

So while Kristina Conlan will be on her way out due to graduation, the future is looking bright for the Tornadoes thanks to her sisters and a number of other talented youngsters currently wearing green and white.

“It’s been amazing,” Kristina Conlan said of playing with her younger sisters. “We all get along so well, we do our best to help each other and we have had some really good teamwork working together. When I was in junior high, I didn’t think that we would (play together) but as they got older, I kind of figured that I would, I was hoping, because I love my sisters.”

“It’s a lot of fun because there are not a lot of times that you see three sisters playing together,” Raegan Conlan said. “I didn’t think that I would be able to play high school basketball, but now that I am and get to play with her (Kristina), it’s been amazing. She has really helped me a lot with my confidence and being more mature on the court. She has helped me look to shoot more and be more aggressive.”

Even though the Tornadoes didn’t dominate the District 9C this season, they were able to put together some wins in conference play and mustered a respectable sixth-place finish, which is not bad considering Turner starts two eighth-graders and a sophomore. And while Turner lost its opening game in the 9C tournament to Fort Benton-Geraldine Wednesday night, the Tornadoes still have plenty to play for this season as they hope to win at least one game in the postseason before the 2014-15 season is in the books.

“I think we have a lot of great girls and I have enjoyed playing with them,” Kristina Conlan said. “But for the future, I think they are going to be good. I think the girls are amazing and with just one person leaving and one spot to fill, they can get a lot better.”

Maybe more than any other team in the 9C, this season has been one of learning experiences for the Tornadoes, who also have sophomore Ella Billmayer to be excited about as well as the younger Conlan sisters.

Yet, as optimistic as the Tornadoes are about the future, there is still plenty of business to take care of this season as Turner hopes to send Kristina Conlan, the lone senior on the roster, out with a bang and a win in the 9C tournament.

“It would mean so much to us and our community,” Kristina Conlan said. “It would really be like winning a championship for us because we have worked so hard this season.”

Although this season has already been a successful one for the Tornadoes with the improvement the team has shown and the fact that it took a big step in the direction, Turner could end the year on a high note and give the Conlans one more lasting memory by getting a win in the 9C tournament.

“It would be us winning tomorrow, (against Hays-Lodge Pole),” Rylee Conlan responded when asked what would be her favorite memory of playing with her sister. “She has taught me a lot and playing with her has been fantastic.”