Woodstock’s boys basketball team had a comfortable lead against Richmond-Burton, but Streaks coach Alex Baker was not going to pull leading scorer Jordan Turner.
The 6-foot-3 senior guard was too close to a career milestone. Turner started the fourth quarter with 22 points, which meant he needed only three more to reach 1,000 for his career. He got two more baskets to join an elite club with three former Streaks.
“It means a lot,” Turner said. “It’s really satisfying to get that after so much hard work, the endless camps and all the AAU games.”
Turner moved to No. 3 on Woodstock’s career list Saturday night when he scored 21 points to put him at 1,022 in Woodstock’s 65-27 win against Big Foot (Wis.). Dan Hill (1,791) is out of reach for Turner, but Turner should pass No. 2 Maury Leitzke (1,121) later this season. He passed No. 3 Tim Lind (1,003) Saturday.
“Jordan’s very deserving to be in that group,” Baker said. “He’s worked very hard, nothing has been given to him. He’s not just a talented player, but a good leader. The younger see the work Jordan’s been able to do and learn from him. It’s exciting to have such a good kid and student and a fantastic person.”
Turner was called up to the varsity midway through his freshman season when forward Mike Sutter, the team’s leading scorer, suffered a torn labrum and missed the rest of the season. Turner played well in those 10 games and became the second-leading scorer, just behind Sutter, his sophomore year.
“After my sophomore year I saw that I could reach 1,000 even if I averaged 13.7 a game,” said Turner, whose average has jumped a few more points.
Turner also plays varsity baseball since his freshman year, but has chosen to pursue basketball at the next level. He has narrowed his college choices to NCAA Division III schools Augustana and Hope, and also is considering the Air Force Academy.
“Baseball was more of a hobby for me, I’ve had more success in basketball, so that’s where I wanted to do things in college,” Turner said. “I may go to a prep school for a year then transition to Air Force for four years. They saw me play in AAU [with the Illinois Heat]. They may come see me in a game next month.”
Turner looks forward to the Streaks having more team success this season with 6-foot-7 Damian Stoneking in the middle and several other experienced players returning.
“It’s going to be great,” Turner said. “We started 1-3 and were a little arrogant, thinking with the success we had in the summer and fall we’d just win. We’ve had a couple wins and we’re looking to take that momentum when we go to the Marengo Tournament [around Christmas].”
Baker said they will recognize Turner at the Streaks’ home game on Monday, Dec. 17 with Alden-Hebron since Thursday’s game was at Richmond.
C-G’s good sports: Cary-Grove received word this week that it has again been recognized for its sportsmanship by the IHSA. The Trojans were honored with a Do What’s Right! IHSA Sportsmanship Award after their appearance in the IHSA Class 6A football state championship game.
C-G lost to Crete-Monee, 33-26, but its team and fans were lauded for their exuberance and conduct during the game. The IHSA Sportsmanship Award is given to those schools showing exemplary behavior on the field and by their fans in the stands at IHSA finals events.
C-G also received awards in 2009, the year the Trojans won the Class 4A state volleyball championship and the Class 6A state football championship. C-G will receive a banner to place in its gymnasium.
• Joe Stevenson is a senior sports writer for the Northwest Herald. He can be reached by email at joestevenson@shawmedia.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @nwh_JoePrepZone.
