Turner takes over reins on Nooksack team set for success

It’s no easy task trying to replace an unquestioned leader like Mariah Perry was for Nooksack Valley’s girls’ basketball team last season.

Bringing in a six-person senior class that boasts the talent the Pioneers does this year helps soften the blow, though.

Leading that class is 6-foot-1 post player Brianna Turner, who put up 9.3 points per game last year — the team’s second best — and continues to develop her game.

“She (Perry) was a dynamic leader, a dynamic player,” Nooksack coach Shane Wichers said in a phone interview. “You don’t ever really replace someone like that. But I’ve found ever year, people step in and fill that void. ... Kids rise to the challenge.”

Turner certainly seems like that person to step up this season.

When she entered the program as a freshman that might not have been the case, but the tall interior player has become more than just an athletic player.

“When she came in, her shot was a little funky,” Wichers said.

That’s definitely not the case now as she’s developed into an all-around player that can not only beat opponents in the key but take her game to the outside, attack off the dribble and hit the 3-ball.

Add her height to those components and she’s become very difficult to stop.

“My coaches definitely pushed me to work on my outside game as well,” Turner said in a phone interview. “It just gives us that more of an advantage. We can try different things and don’t have to stick with one thing when it’s not working.”

But more important than the talent she brings to the court will be her leadership this season, something she’s made sure to work on.

The usually quiet worker has embraced her role as a senior.

“I’m kind of a passive person,” Turner said. “I’m trying to work more on verbal. Usually I’m more of a lead-by-example player but this year I want to focus on being a good teammate.”

Her coach has taken notice.

“She’s really willing to do whatever necessary for us to be successful,” Wichers said. “The kids recognize that and see she’s willing to give that as a leader.”

Helping Turner with the transition to team leader was watching how Perry went about things last year. The former Pioneer knew when to step up, when to facilitate and when to offer some friendly words.

Replicating some of Perry’s style will keep this team headed on the right track.

“She was one of the greatest leaders that I’ve experienced on any type of sports team,” Turner said. “She always gave all the glory to other teammates and didn’t care about stats. I want to carry that on and give back to the entire team.”

While Turner will likely pick up a bulk of the scoring, the rest of the senior class will try to take a committee approach to making up for Perry’s absence.

Arlissa Oettel, Emilia Gimmaka, Olivia Berkan, Jasmin Zavala and Cassidy Zylstra all bring in talent to go with on-court encouragement vital to any team’s success.

“It’s one of those things that’s so critically important,” Wichers said. “Teenagers don’t get a lot of encouragement from other teens. To hear someone that’s your age give encouraging feedback builds confidence. ... That blossoms into all kinds of things, but in essence it builds culture, which I think will help us achieve higher levels.”

After reaching the state regional last season, the next step is Yakima, somewhere the Pioneers haven’t been since 2010.

This team just may turn that number to 2016.

This story was originally published November 28, 2015 at 6:58 PM with the headline "Turner takes over reins on Nooksack team set for success."