Photography by Elliott Portillo. Photo illustration by Collin Slavey and Sam Papavasiliou

Turner and Thrower: Leading Ladies

Humboldt State Lady Lumberjacks' dynamic duo Tyra Turner and Alexia Thrower show no signs of slowing down
Translate

The Lady Lumberjacks’ dynamic duo Tyra Turner and Alexia Thrower show no signs of slowing down

Editor’s note: after publishing this story it came to our attention that the author of this story is partnered with one of the subjects of this story. We recognize that this presents a conflict of interest regarding our coverage. This is not a regular policy. We will keep this post as-is for the sake of transparency.

When it comes to sports, a dynamic duo is rare. Humboldt State University’s women’s basketball team is lucky with the elite duo of Tyra Turner and Alexia Thrower. The two have been storming through the California Collegiate Athletic Association and don’t seem to be slowing down.

“I’m just trying to finish this season off strong since it will be my last one of my college career,” Turner said. “I don’t want to have any regrets going forward. I love going out there and playing hard for my teammates because I feel like it is infectious when you play as hard as possible and it leads to all of us playing hard for each other.”

The Lady Lumberjacks have leaned on their two star players heavily this year as both Turner and Thrower lead the CCAA in scoring and assists. Thrower leads the CCAA at 21.1 points per game while Turner leads the CCAA in total assists at 88.

The team feeds off the pair, as they are 11-8 overall and 7-7 in 2019-2020 Women’s Basketball Conference play—and they seem to be hitting their stride at the right time with postseason play right around the corner.

Turner, the team’s point guard, is the engine of the Lady Lumberjacks. She constantly has the ball in her hands, making key decisions and often guarding the best guard on the opposing team. Turner doesn’t mind having these tasks as she tries to finish off her career as one of the best point guards to ever lace shoes up for the Lady Lumberjacks.

Turner has been playing her best lately, as she’s fresh off being named CCAA Player of the Week on Jan. 29 after averaging 21.5 points, seven assists, four rebounds and three steals in the previous week’s games. Turner currently sits at 1,060 points and 473 assists for her career, and those totals will likely grow before the season ends.

“I really just let the game come to me. I know if we continue to win and I continue to play the way I can, then everything else will fall into place.”

Alexia Thrower

The second half of the duo is Thrower, who is currently in her second season at HSU after transferring from Grays Harbor College in Washington. It didn’t take long for her to take the CCAA by storm as one of its best players. Thrower was the 2018-19 Newcomer of the Year in the CCAA and is on track to receive more awards by the end of the season.

“I never try to focus on trying to win awards,” Thrower said. “I just try to go out there and play my game every night. I don’t really focus on stats or anything like that. I really just let the game come to me. I know if we continue to win and I continue to play the way I can, then everything else will fall into place.”

Thrower currently sits atop the CCAA in scoring, is second in rebounding and is shaping her career as one of HSU’s best women players as she sits at 879 points and 466 rebounds in her two seasons at HSU. If her play continues, expect awards to fall in her favor.

Share This Post

More Stories

Nina G uses comedy to start conversations

During the virtual comedy event held by the SDRC, Nina Ghiselli tells her story and emphasizes the importance of student disability resources within schools.

It’s not just the Capitol Police

As the world watched from their televisions on January 6, we witnessed scenes unfold before our eyes that were, to many, unimaginable: supporters of President Trump swarmed the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building, then proceeded to break in and

The San Jose State University Football Team Comes to Humboldt

On a day’s notice from administration, the SJSU football team spends a week and a half in Humboldt practicing because their county did not allow it. Students react to their presence on campus in the midst of a pandemic. Directed

Homelessness in Humboldt, CA

This is the first trailer of a homeless documentary created by HSU students. We have spent months filming and will continue to film throughout the next year. Follow the heartbreaking stories of the homeless community around Humboldt county and the

Thrifty Arcata

Taking a tour of the local thrift shops in Arcata during the COVID-19 pandemic. Directed and produced by Skylar Gaven.

House Plants Generate Peace and Meaning During the Pandemic

Three different people with the same love for plants! House plants have become quite popular these days especially since we’re all basically stuck inside during the pandemic. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but these beautiful green oxygen-makers provide more

Prop 22 represents political favoritism of money over workers’ rights

California’s passing of proposition 22 on Nov. 5 represents a frustrating history of workers’ rights being trampled by the overwhelming influence of greed in politics.  This proposition forces app-based workers to be classified as independent contractors, rather than employees. This

Remembering Evelyn Andrews 10 months after her passing

By Katelyn Dendas It has been 10 months since my friend, teammate and freshman year dorm mate, Evelyn Andrews, passed away. I don’t remember what the grief counselor said or what transpired after that Monday, but I do remember arriving

Protestors seek to defund HSUPD

Two local, activist organizations work together to stage a sit-in against Humboldt State’s police department.

Getting stuck on the Trump train

Writer Anthony Aragon details his experience of accidentally joining a pro-Trump car rally.

Justin Turner exposes the World Series to COVID-19

Justin Turner didn’t need to be the story in the wake of the Dodgers’ first World Series victory in 32 years. Instead here we are, wondering what sort of, if any, punishment Major League Baseball will decide to hand down

Four more years of fear

News Editor Carlos Holguin explains why he is worried about the next four years.

Dismal democracy

The Lumberjack editorial staff comments on America’s flawed electoral system As the world watches the United States 2020 election results, waiting for our pseudodemocratic process to churn out a new president, historically unprecedented voting methods misrepresents the reported Election Day

The Mario triple pack invokes a nostalgia attack

When I was a child, the first video game system I owned was a Nintendo 64. Among the games I played was Super Mario 64. I played it all the time and when I wasn’t playing it, I was lying

Women’s lacrosse drops their competitive season

Greta Roberts, president and player of Humboldt State University’s women’s lacrosse team, made the decision with her coach and teammates to cancel the upcoming spring season. The team decided that not being able to recruit in the fall would be

Dobby’s proposition opinions

Haven’t voted yet? Well, you’re running out of time. Here’s a quick rundown of California’s propositions on the ballot this year

Corporations buy out propositions

In a series of general and misleading advertisements, corporate backers of Propositions 22 and 23 show their grubby hands

CDOR continues virtually

The Campus and Community Dialogue On Race returns covering global justice for Black Lives.

Indigenous Food Sovereignty

Local food management practices of the Tolowa Dee-ni, Yurok and other indigenous peoples.

Humboldt State Admin attempts to discredit the Lumberjack

***A Lumberjack editorial represents both the majority opinion of the student newspaper’s editorial board, nine editors, as well as the overwhelming majority of Humboldt State University’s student body. Collectively, an editorial echos, embodies and advocates for community beliefs.*** Insensitive communications

Music of the Moment 6

21 Savage and Metro Boomin drop a classic with “Savage Mode II”

Spartans arrive at HSU despite campus concerns

***Editor’s note: SJSU football program was tested in congruence with Mountain West conference guidelines*** The Spartans have arrived and this time they’re not carrying spears or shields. Instead the San Jose State football team stepped onto the Humboldt State campus

Music of the Moment 5

After shooting Megan Thee Stallion, Tory Lanez cancels himself

Welcome to the Twilight Zone

Comparisons between episodes of the classic TV show The Twilight Zone and our own dismal reality

Music of the Moment 4

YoungBoy Never Broke Again dodges the sophomore slump with his new album “Top.”

Self-Care Cuts

Changing your hair to change your life

HSU Seaweed Farm sets sail

The first commercially-approved seaweed farm in California will be on the map.

Music of the Moment 3

For better or worse, Big Sean is likely gone for good.

More Layers, More Protection?

Humboldt State demands double masking on campus, does more layers equal more protection?

The Ethnic Studies Bill is a Blessing

Ethnic Studies will thankfully become mandatory for all California State University students – as it should be.

The Complex Interface of Humans and Wildfires

How fire suppression is a mixed bag in Humboldt County Every fire season, blankets of smoke roll over Humboldt County. Here on the coast, that’s as close to wildfires as some of us get. But our practice of fire suppression

Defund HSU’s Police Department

Incidents of racism from the former UPD Chief, past examples of excessive force from current officers and a shrinking university budget.

How Not To Be Bitten By A Kitten

Please prepare to be prey Congratulations, a baby feline has recently come into your life. If they’re anywhere from 2-18 months, they bite. They see you as prey. Because you are prey. You always have been. You always will be.

Graduating Into Uncharted Waters

HSU graduates attempt to navigate a world turned upside-down by COVID-19 In May, Humboldt State University graduated hundreds of students, as it does every year. Unlike past years, graduates didn’t get to shake hands with their respective dean and receive

HSU Cultural Center Budget Slashed

Associated Students leaves student body devastated after significant reductions in cultural center’s budget.

All aboard the plague ship

Unprecedented times are met with normalized behavior, HSU puts students and community members at higher risk after reopening campus and student housing.

Music of the Moment

The hip-hop community rallies behind the Black Lives Matter Movement

Inside the Immune System

How the body uses multiple levels of defense against foreign intruders

Catcalling Can’t Continue

Verbal harassment toward women is about control and the assertion of gender discrimination

Major League Marijuana

Why I don’t think marijuana is everything it’s cracked up to be in baseball

Pigs Compost on Campus

CCAT tries to reduce HSU’s food waste footprint through new pig program