North Platte – First year coach Jeff Thurman continues to add to the North Platte Community College Lady Knight basketball team, signing Mackenna Turner from Arthur to a national letter of intent for the 2018-19 season.

Turner, a post player and wing, played three seasons for the Arthur County High School Lady Wolves.

During her career, Turner averaged 4.3 points per game and 4.4 rebounds per game in 56 games.

In her senior season, Turner averaged six points per game and 5.9 rebounds per game.  She also averaged two steals per game.

“I wanted to stay close to home, didn’t want to travel too far for my family and friends,” Turner said. “It is exciting and nerve-racking at the same time.”

Turner was salutatorian of her graduating class and was president of the National Honor Society at Arthur.  She is planning to major in nursing and will bring 12 hours of college credit with her through the dual credit program from Mid-Plains.  She did get her Certified Nursing Assistant certificate this summer.

Thurman said that Mackenna had talked to the previous coach and expressed interest in playing, so she reached out to him.

“Having an athlete from the area is huge for us, especially this late in recruiting,” Thurman said. “To find the caliber of student athlete she is and the kind of person she is, is awesome for us.

Mackenna is the daughter of Calvin and Deanna Turner.