Dribbles echo against the stands of the packed gym, red and white shoes squeak across the court as senior Triston Turner defends the ball. A quick steal sends players to the other half of the court. The ball is passed effortlessly between players, making its way into Turner’s hands. His body shoots up in an instant to make a flawless dunk. He hangs on the rim as players clear out underneath him. 

Turner has been playing basketball for nine years. He started playing in fourth grade when all of his friends started playing. The game of basketball started off as something he did for fun but the more he grew as a player the more serious about it he became. From starting out as a short little fourth grader he has worked his way up to being a varsity athlete. This is his second year starting on varsity and this year serves as the shooting guard and small forward. Turner focuses on certain things that will help his team win. 

“Just thinking about the win and what I need to do,” Turner said. “I make sure I’m doing the right thing and make sure everyone on my team knows what we need to do to get the job done and just staying together as a team.” 

Turner plans to play basketball in college but as to where, he doesn’t know yet. His plans after high school besides playing basketball are to attend a four year university and major in sports therapy or physical therapy. Teammate junior Edward Estepan feels Turner is very knowledgeable about basketball.

“(I feel) his intensity and his IQ about the game of basketball and how he communicates on the court all the time,” Estepan said.

Game day routines for athletes usually consist of getting into the game mode, which isn’t far off from what Turner does. Before away games he enjoys laying across two seats and getting into the game mindset and preparing himself. Before home games he enjoys going out to eat with some of his teammates and getting into the usual game mindset. Life for Turner isn’t all about basketball though, he also enjoys spending time with his friends and teammates outside of practices and game days. 

“My favorite memory with Triston outside of basketball is probably going downtown and riding the train through the city,” teammate junior Danny McArthur said. 

Turners last bit of advice to new basketball players is if they want to be serious about it they should stay locked in and they shouldn’t listen to what anyone else has to say about them, only do what they and their coaches think is right. Throughout his four years of high school his favorite memory has been beating Grandview last year.

 “They were one of the top teams in the State and no one thought we were going to win and we were the only ones that thought we could win, it was just a fun game all around,” Turner said. 

Two points hit the scoreboard as he lands on his feet. He turns to the audience going crazy in the stands with a feeling of accomplishment. He gives a sly smile in their direction. A rush of energy goes through his body as he prepares himself for the next play.