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High-flying Harmon Hawks defeat Turner

by Brian Turrel

The Harmon Hawks boys’ basketball team continued their early-season unbeaten run, picking up their fifth victory of the year at Turner, 79-32 over the Golden Bears.

Harmon’s above-the-rim offense has overpowered most of their opponents this season. Turner hung tough through the opening period, with opportunistic defense and timely three-pointers from Arnaldo Silvestre and Cedric Bates to keep the margin close at 16-10.

In the second period, Hawks star Lonell Lane came off the bench and brought a lot of defensive intensity with him. The pace of play picked up, and the speed of the Hawks gave them a clear advantage. Lane was able to get inside the Bears’ defense, and scored 14 of the Hawks’ 22 points in the second quarter.

The Hawks continued their dominant run in the third quarter, holding the Bears to just 4 points. Mike Carson was a strong presence in the paint and able to challenge most of Turner’s inside moves.

The fourth quarter was an up-and-down race. Despite the margin, both teams kept up their intensity through the final buzzer.

Lane led the Hawks with 27 points in the game. Terrence Johnson and Mike Carson both added 13. Jadin Kimbrel was the high scorer for the Golden Bears with 8 points, and Cedric Bates dropped in 7.

Harmon heads to the holiday break with a 5-0 record. They’ll play a KCAL league game against Atchison on Jan. 10. Turner is still looking for its first win of the young season. The Bears will open 2020 with a United Kansas Conference home game against Louisburg on Jan. 7.

Harmon senior Terrence Johnson tried to score over the defense of Turner sophomore Cedric Bates. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Harmon senior Walzel Evans made a layup. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Turner senior Isaiah Belcher drove in for a floater. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Walzel Evans took a fast break for a dunk. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

The Turner cheerleaders practiced their stunts before the game. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Turner senior Nick Gordon saved the ball and bounced it off a Harmon player to keep possession. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Isaiah Belcher dived to save a ball from going out of bounds. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

The Turner Goldenettes dance team performed a Christmas-themed routine at halftime. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Turner senior Jalen Nelson tried to drive the ball around Harmon junior Lonell Lane. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Harmon junior Mike Carson tipped in a ball at the rim. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Cedric Bates pulled down a defensive rebound. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Harmon freshman Jason Rodriguez looked to drive along the baseline. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

The Turner pep band entertained the crowd before the game. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Cedric Bates took a short jump shot in the lane. (Photo copyright 2019 by Brian Turrel)

Review: ‘Nutcracker’ performance brings out the spirit of Christmas

“The Nutcracker” is being performed at the Kansas City Ballet.

by William Crum

What is the spirit of Christmas? Well, I think I found it – “The Nutcracker” performance by the Kansas City Ballet.

Recently I had the opportunity to attend “The Nutcracker” performed by the Kansas City Ballet. I have seen “The Nutcracker” performed, but nothing like this. It blew me away. For me, it brought fond memories from childhood.

This year’s “Nutcracker” performance by the Kansas City Ballet is sheer magic. What makes it even better is a lot of students from the Turner School District helped this magic happen, through the community engagement program of the Kansas City Ballet.

According to educators, those who study ballet are better students because they are more relaxed and in tune with the body.

If you want to see something worthwhile this season, I would encourage you to go see “The Nutcracker” performed by the Kansas City Ballet. It will bring out the Christmas spirit in you.

They still have many performances left. You can get tickets online at https://kcballet.org/events/the-nutcracker/.

High school cheer squads compete for state title

by Brian Turrel

Cheerleading squads from Piper, Turner, and Bonner Springs high schools competed Saturday in the third annual KSHSAA Spirit Gameday. The Pirates’ cheerleaders took home third place in the 4A division, following up their 2018 championship.

Spirit Gameday is KSHSAA’s state championship for cheerleading, now in its third year. Squads compete in three preliminary rounds — fight song, crowd leading, and band chant. Squads that make the final round perform a routine of their own selection, and then have to lead a cheer that fits a football game scenario randomly assigned by the judges.

Piper led all seventeen 4A squads after the preliminaries, but were edged out by first-place Louisburg in the finals.

Turner and Bonner Springs competed in the 5A division, but were unable to break through to the finals.

All the squads will be returning to the court when basketball season starts in early December.