The Turner Tornadoes fell to 0-3 in District 9C play and 2-3 overall following a tough 38-36 loss to conference rival Chester-Joplin-Inverness last Monday.

Turner has steadily improved the past few seasons and has been looking for that break through win to take the next step.

Monday afternoon they nearly took that step. Since returning to varsity ball four years ago Turner has yet to pick up a win over teams above them in the standings.

Chester J-I led after the opening quarter of action but Turner doubled up the Hawks 8-4 in the second stanza to take a 18-17 lead at the break.

The teams matched each other point for point in the third quarter as Turner led 29-28 entering the fourth quarter.

Although the girls had their chances at the end things didn't go their way as Chester J-I picked up the 38-36 win.

First year head coach Jen Baird and her team are definitely making strides in the right direction, "The last couple games there was something missing that we just couldn't put our finger on. The girls showed up to play on Monday night against CJI. They played tough and aggressive the whole game, unfortunately we fell short in the end."

In order to win the close games, a team needs to do all the little things required to get a win, "We missed some easy bunnies and only shot 11/21 from the foul line," said Baird.

Although the team didn't get the win they were hoping for they have done a lot of good things this season, "We're really coming together as a team, everyone is stepping up and making contributions. I feel that the new year is going to come with lots of good things," Baird concluded.

Turner will start the new year off with a road contest January 5 in Dodson. The girls' first home game will be against Hays/Lodge Pole on January 8. They will play Chinook on the road January 9.