by Brian Turrel
Turner School District debuted its new District Activity Center Saturday with the first round of the Black and Gold Girls Soccer Invitational tournament.
The district broke ground in October 2019, and held a ribbon-cutting in October 2020, but had to wait for the spring sports season to hold a live competition.
The new facility, just north of Turner High School, features two artificial turf fields (football and soccer), along with track and field areas, grandstands, concessions and locker rooms. Tournament games were held on both fields.
The Turner Golden Bears had the honor of first game in their new home, but gave way to the visiting Shawnee Mission North Lady Indians 3-0.
The Bonner Springs Lady Braves played Raytown in the most competitive game of the day and prevailed 6-2. Striker Jenna Knight scored four goals in the game, while Gabrielle Klein and Hannah Mellott each contributed one.
After a slow start, Piper overwhelmed Sumner Academy 10-0 in the first afternoon contest. Ryann Clark and Kyndell Letcher led the scoring with 3 goals each. In the final match of the day, the Bishop Ward Lady Cyclones gamely soldiered through a 13-0 mismatch with 6A standouts Shawnee Mission Northwest.
The tournament semifinals will be played Monday, March 29. In the consolation bracket, Bishop Ward will play Raytown at 4:30 p.m., and Turner will face off with Sumner at 5 p.m. In the championship bracket, Bonner Springs will play Northwest at 6:30 p.m., and Piper and North will kick off at 7 p.m.
The final round of the tournament will take place on Wednesday, March 31.
Very good pictures Brian. I enjoy seeing your work.