- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 390,105
- Reaction score
- 43
Kaitlyn Turinsky likes to use the offseason to add something new to her arsenal of skills.
The Bellevue junior is a gravedigger on defense and a blossoming force on offense. She helped Bellevue capture the first state championship in program history with a 40-29 victory over Kettering Archbishop Alter in Division IV.
What can Turinsky possibly add?
"She'll work on (shooting) in the offseason," Bellevue coach Kory Santoro said. "She can post up, handle the ball, add the 3-point line to 6-foot-3, she can be deadly. Another year working on things, fine tune her 3-point shot. She can shoot it, and she can put the ball on the floor.
"There are different things we can do with Kaitlyn."
High school basketball girls Bellevue's Turner caffeinated for state final victory
Soon, there won't be anything left that Turinsky doesn't do.
"You look at her as a freshman, she was always a good shot blocker," Santoro said. "Her post moves have been fine tuned. She's filled out muscular wise. She's in the weight room. Every year since freshman, she shows something different."
Turinsky averaged a double-double at 11.9 points and 10.2 rebounds. She made 54% of her shots from the field and nearly half her rebounds were on the offensive end.
"At any point she could take over games and be more selfish, but that's not what made us good," Santoro said.
Hailey Rees was twice player of the year in the Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division and averaged 15.5 points and 3.2 steals, making 37% of her 3-pointers as a senior. Turinsky takes over as face of the program.
"Losing Hailey, she'll do more," Santoro said. "She's a double-double kid. She could be a 20 and 10 kid. She works hard. Another year of maturity, there's no reason we can't do this next year."
Rees had 16 points and Turinsky added eight points, eight rebounds and seven blocks against Alter. Turinsky had 20 points and 17 rebounds in a win over Norwalk and 18 points and 16 rebounds in a district semifinal victory over Perkins.
She had seven consecutive games with a double-double and occasionally flirts with triple-doubles.
She has Division I offers from Canisius, Loyola (Maryland) and Youngstown State. She hopes to make a decision on her destination this month.
"She won't reach her full potential until college," Santoro said. "She's that type of player. She'll keep getting better. Posts develop slower than guards, but she's dominant with a unique skill set for 6-3. Add the 3-pointer and things will open up even more."
Off the court, Turinsky is ready to occupy more of a leadership role without Rees.
"She'll be one of our captains," Santoro said. "She'll be counted on. She's very driven. She knows she'll be a leader. We had a great senior class; leaders and players I trusted for four years. The younger kids have learned a lot from Hailey, Audrey (Turner) and Brooke (Brown).
"We'll have some good players. Ellie (Freitag) will be a third-year starting point guard. It was unreal to handle the ball the way she did in a state final. CJ Savage is the best shooter in the area. Mazie Gracemyer. Ava Hirt. Lexie Easterwood.
"Girls are doing the right things and we'll have a very good team."
Bellevue has already begun preparations to defend its 15th consecutive conference championship. It lost only to Norwalk last season to share the league crown and established a program record for wins at 28.
"I'm excited for next year in the SBC, but mostly each game," Turinsky said. "Every game counts. Even the summer, I'm excited to get ready for the SBC. It's a whole process. It's super important. It built a tradition winning in our program and just competing."
Turinsky's teammates will be working to add to their games as well.
"I'm excited for the future, Ellie and CJ," she said. "Both of them have become so much more confident. Ellie with the ball. CJ isn't hesitant to shoot it and she shoots more. Three senior starters are leaving. That means more expectations.
"I don't think it will be different; I'll just play my game. It's going to be a fun year, my senior year. My last year."
Believe it or not, Turinsky is most impactful on the defensive end, averaging 3.9 blocks and 2.5 steals. Her intimidation and the shots she prevents and alters can change the way opposing players and coaches generally operate.
She doesn't like to allow second shots if you happen to get one up and her already established career record for program blocks will likely be untouchable. She still has a year to build on it.
"She changes the game in so many ways," Santoro said. "A 6-3 post who can bring the ball up, go behind the back, two dribbles and she lays it in."
After each game, one player is recognized 'Dennis Rodman' for their contributions.
"We can't say Rodman Award any more, it's the KT Award," Santoro said in the locker room after the state final. "There were two or three times she didn't get it. That award is for dedication to defense and rebounding. Doing the things that don't get noticed.
"Coaches need players to do those little things that win games."
Maybe Turinsky should just wear No. 91?
"I would, but 30 is my number," she said. "Unless they don't have it in college, maybe. It's awesome they have that. There's an MVP and a Rodman. The award is for defense and rebounding and blocking shots. Don't care what people think and do what you have to do.
"Be aggressive and assertive. That's what it means. There's more to basketball than points; I love it."
[email protected]
419-307-4892
X: @MatthewHornNH
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Bellevue OHSAA girls basketball
Continue reading...
The Bellevue junior is a gravedigger on defense and a blossoming force on offense. She helped Bellevue capture the first state championship in program history with a 40-29 victory over Kettering Archbishop Alter in Division IV.
What can Turinsky possibly add?
"She'll work on (shooting) in the offseason," Bellevue coach Kory Santoro said. "She can post up, handle the ball, add the 3-point line to 6-foot-3, she can be deadly. Another year working on things, fine tune her 3-point shot. She can shoot it, and she can put the ball on the floor.
"There are different things we can do with Kaitlyn."
High school basketball girls Bellevue's Turner caffeinated for state final victory
Soon, there won't be anything left that Turinsky doesn't do.
"You look at her as a freshman, she was always a good shot blocker," Santoro said. "Her post moves have been fine tuned. She's filled out muscular wise. She's in the weight room. Every year since freshman, she shows something different."
Turinsky averaged a double-double at 11.9 points and 10.2 rebounds. She made 54% of her shots from the field and nearly half her rebounds were on the offensive end.
"At any point she could take over games and be more selfish, but that's not what made us good," Santoro said.
You must be registered for see images
Hailey Rees was twice player of the year in the Sandusky Bay Conference Lake Division and averaged 15.5 points and 3.2 steals, making 37% of her 3-pointers as a senior. Turinsky takes over as face of the program.
"Losing Hailey, she'll do more," Santoro said. "She's a double-double kid. She could be a 20 and 10 kid. She works hard. Another year of maturity, there's no reason we can't do this next year."
Rees had 16 points and Turinsky added eight points, eight rebounds and seven blocks against Alter. Turinsky had 20 points and 17 rebounds in a win over Norwalk and 18 points and 16 rebounds in a district semifinal victory over Perkins.
She had seven consecutive games with a double-double and occasionally flirts with triple-doubles.
She has Division I offers from Canisius, Loyola (Maryland) and Youngstown State. She hopes to make a decision on her destination this month.
"She won't reach her full potential until college," Santoro said. "She's that type of player. She'll keep getting better. Posts develop slower than guards, but she's dominant with a unique skill set for 6-3. Add the 3-pointer and things will open up even more."
You must be registered for see images
Off the court, Turinsky is ready to occupy more of a leadership role without Rees.
"She'll be one of our captains," Santoro said. "She'll be counted on. She's very driven. She knows she'll be a leader. We had a great senior class; leaders and players I trusted for four years. The younger kids have learned a lot from Hailey, Audrey (Turner) and Brooke (Brown).
"We'll have some good players. Ellie (Freitag) will be a third-year starting point guard. It was unreal to handle the ball the way she did in a state final. CJ Savage is the best shooter in the area. Mazie Gracemyer. Ava Hirt. Lexie Easterwood.
"Girls are doing the right things and we'll have a very good team."
You must be registered for see images
Bellevue has already begun preparations to defend its 15th consecutive conference championship. It lost only to Norwalk last season to share the league crown and established a program record for wins at 28.
"I'm excited for next year in the SBC, but mostly each game," Turinsky said. "Every game counts. Even the summer, I'm excited to get ready for the SBC. It's a whole process. It's super important. It built a tradition winning in our program and just competing."
Turinsky's teammates will be working to add to their games as well.
"I'm excited for the future, Ellie and CJ," she said. "Both of them have become so much more confident. Ellie with the ball. CJ isn't hesitant to shoot it and she shoots more. Three senior starters are leaving. That means more expectations.
"I don't think it will be different; I'll just play my game. It's going to be a fun year, my senior year. My last year."
Believe it or not, Turinsky is most impactful on the defensive end, averaging 3.9 blocks and 2.5 steals. Her intimidation and the shots she prevents and alters can change the way opposing players and coaches generally operate.
She doesn't like to allow second shots if you happen to get one up and her already established career record for program blocks will likely be untouchable. She still has a year to build on it.
"She changes the game in so many ways," Santoro said. "A 6-3 post who can bring the ball up, go behind the back, two dribbles and she lays it in."
After each game, one player is recognized 'Dennis Rodman' for their contributions.
"We can't say Rodman Award any more, it's the KT Award," Santoro said in the locker room after the state final. "There were two or three times she didn't get it. That award is for dedication to defense and rebounding. Doing the things that don't get noticed.
"Coaches need players to do those little things that win games."
Maybe Turinsky should just wear No. 91?
"I would, but 30 is my number," she said. "Unless they don't have it in college, maybe. It's awesome they have that. There's an MVP and a Rodman. The award is for defense and rebounding and blocking shots. Don't care what people think and do what you have to do.
"Be aggressive and assertive. That's what it means. There's more to basketball than points; I love it."
[email protected]
419-307-4892
X: @MatthewHornNH
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Bellevue OHSAA girls basketball
Continue reading...
