The Turner Tornado Boys basketball team is off to their best start in years. This past Monday, December 19 the Tornadoes made the short trip to Dodson to take on the Coyotes and came away with their third non-conference win of the season, 65-58, to improve to 4-1 on the season overall.

Sophomore Carson Maloney scored on an offensive rebound to get the Turner offense going. Two trips later Maloney scored again, this time on a short jumper. Dodson responded with a triple to cut the Turner advantage to 6-3. Sophomore Ryan Doyle secured the defensive rebound and made a great pass up ahead to junior Trent Billmayer for a layup at the other end. Sophomore Tate Beck connected from downtown to push Turner's lead midway through the opening quarter. Billmayer added another Triple to the Tornado start and scored eight points in the opening quarter for the Tornadoes.

Turner trailed the Coyotes 17-15 to start the second quarter and looking to cut into the Coyote lead heading into the break. Billmayer began the second quarter with another bomb from long range to keep the Tornado offense running hot.

Billmayer dropped two in from distance in the second quarter and scored eight more before the break. Maloney added three more buckets in the paint and senior Charlie Calvert score twice. Turner outscored the Coyotes 19-18 in the second to trail, 35-34 heading into halftime.

Turner came out to start the second half ready to continue to pressure the Coyotes and take control of the contest. Dodson couldn't slow down the Turner attack and managed just eight points of their own surrendering the lead to the Tornadoes. Maloney dropped in a pair from beyond the arc and scored seven in the frame while Calvert contributed five more to add to the Tornado attack. Junior Ryan Doyle and Billmayer each converted a triple as well, helping Turner open up a 52-43 heading into the final eight minutes of action.

Calvert made a living in the paint down the stretch to score eight points on four field goals. Doyle added four points as time wound down and the Tornadoes held onto a 65-58 win. Billmayer led a balanced Turner attack with 19 points on the night. Calvert and Maloney each contributed 18 in the contest while Doyle finished with seven and Beck three.

Turner improves to 4-1 on the season, 1-1 in District 9C. Head Coach, Darci Ammen has the team playing inspired basketball heading into the break. The team will enjoy time with family and friends over Christmas and then get right back in the gym in preparation for their first outing in 2023.

Turner sophomore Tate Beck has played a big part in the Tornadoes early season success and has helped the Tornadoes record a 4-1 record to start the 2022-23 basketball season.

The Tornadoes will return to the court on Friday, January 6 when they will welcome the Hays/Lodge Pole Thunderbirds to town. Turner will then head south to Chinook on Saturday, January 7 to take on the Chinook Sugarbeeters.

The Tornadoes game with the Box Elder Bears, scheduled for December 21 has been postponed due to the weather. No make up date has been made as of press time.