Gage Johnson
Sports Editor
gjohnson17@murraystate.edu
Sophomore guard Macey Turley is becoming a leader and crucial cog in the Murray State women’s basketball program, and Head Coach Rechelle Turner says we’ve yet to see her best basketball.
The Murray native broke onto the scene last season, proving any and all doubters wrong about her ability to play at the collegiate level. This came as no surprise to Turner, who is proud of the way Turley came in and proved right away that she’s among the OVC’s elite.
“I had no doubt,” Turner said. “The thing that probably made me the proudest last year was that there were some doubters and she went out each and every night and proved that she belongs. We were very fortunate to get her here. If she was two or three inches taller she’d be playing in the SEC without a doubt.”
Turley was the third-leading scorer on the team, averaging 13.1 ppg along with a team-leading 4.4 apg. This statline turned her into the OVC Freshman of the Year and a member of the All-OVC Second Team and the OVC All-Newcomer Team.
Turley has already racked up another accolade entering this season, earning Preseason All-OVC honors. Considering the amount of responsibility she took on as a freshman for the Racers, Turner’s happy that she’s receiving the recognition she deserves.
“Not very many freshmen carried the load that young lady did last year,” Turner said. “Just being thrown out there playing almost 40 minutes a game, being expected to bring the ball up the floor, score it and if you don’t score it, pass it to someone who can. So, it’s just really good to receive the accolades she deserved, but I’ll be the first to tell you, you haven’t seen her best basketball yet.”
Despite her array of awards, Turley isn’t stopping there and is determined that she can improve even more.
“Even though Macey was Freshman of the Year, she was disappointed with the way she shot the basketball last year,” Turner said. “She didn’t feel like her numbers were where they needed to be. If she gets to where she knocks down a higher percentage of shots, she really is going to be trouble.”
Turner said Turley has made a conscious effort to get in the gym and get up extra shots on the move, off the dribble and off of screens, in order to improve those percentages.
“I got with Coach J [Jawuan Scaife] and we really talked about how I can finish around the basket in different ways and just try to create space so I can get my shot off better,” Turley said.
Turley also said it’s nice to receive the recognition, but it’s not the main goal she has in mind.
“Mainly, I’m just excited to get back to the Ford Center and maybe make a run better than we did last year,” Turley said.
Becoming such an integral part of a young team has forced Turley into a leadership role, but she’s been more than willing to accept that role.
“It’s been kind of tough, but I’m always up for a challenge,” Turley said. “I’m more of a lead by example kind of person, but the coaches have been pushing me to be more vocal. I think I’ve done pretty good so far, but I’m still working on it.”
Before joining the Racers, Turley attended Murray High School, playing under Turner for her first three seasons. During their time together as Murray Tigers, Turley set multiple records while Turner helped coach their team to multiple Region 1 titles.
Their relationship was a huge part of bringing Turley to the Racers and the sophomore guard believes their bond has become even stronger in her year at Murray State.
“I think it’s grown even more just from this year to last year,” Turley said. “We’re best friends on the court and best friends off the court. It’s just really good to have her coaching me.”
Turner has made it clear that she trusts Turley completely with running the team at the point guard position and that it’ll stay that way as she continues her Racer career.
“I always have faith in No. 5,” Turner said. “Because I know regardless of what happens, she is going to give 110 percent and she’s going to do everything to help herself and her team do well to win the game.”