'Goose' could score with best of them

With his running one-handers and lanky 6-foot-4, 170-pound frame, Bob Turner would probably look awkward alongside today's smooth, powerful basketball stars.

But for anyone who saw him play in his native Orofino, Turner - whose 43 points against Lewiston in a 1955 district tournament is still believed to be a single-game record - is a legend.

"He had all these herky-jerky moves. That's why they called him Goose," said Darrel Olson, an eighth-grader at the time and local sports historian.

Turner, 72, died on July 25 at his home in Granite Bay, Calif., after a long battle with brain cancer.

Born and raised in Orofino, Turner was a fearless bomber.

On most nights, his offensive game consisted of taking one dribble, lifting up and firing at the basket - regardless of where he was on the court.

During his 43-point masterpiece, Turner may have accumulated 55 to 65 points with the addition of the 3-point line, which had not yet been created.

"They tried to gang up on him but I played him all over the court," former Orofino basketball coach Wilbur Montgomery said. "He was the best of shooters."

Montgomery said he was also a solid rebounder and passer and had a knack for blocking shots.

However, he was always better known for his offensive talents than his defense.

"He's a free spirit and those guys don't make great defenders," Olson said. "There's nothing blue collar about him."

Montgomery said Turner's laid-back, likable personality made him a great teammate, as did his tendency to pull pranks and entertaining stunts.

"He was a great individual," Montgomery said. "He was an all-around person who could get along with anybody.

"He was also a great competitor, the kind of teammate who wanted to do anything to help us win."

Turner's creative artistry extended off the court. Later in life, he performed with the military band during his two years in the service and became a regular singer at hotels in Las Vegas.

"He played the sax and everything else he wanted to play," Olson said. "He was a true Renaissance man."

Turner went on to become an insurance agent for a number of companies, including Allstate and Farmers. Most of his adult life was spent in California, where Olson said he was a successful businessman and an avid golfer.

For many local basketball fans, Turner may be best known for his playing days at Gonzaga.

Following his stellar high school career, the Bulldogs provided Turner a basketball scholarship.

Turner blossomed as a sophomore, scoring 18 points per game en route to being named to the National All-Catholic team.

Expectations were high for his senior season, when Gonzaga brought in renowned 6-1 shooting guard Frank Burgess, who later led the nation in scoring in 1960.

"The Spokesman-Review called them the best backcourt in the Northwest," Olson said.

The team also brought in big man Jean Claude Lefebrue, but the team struggled as the lightning-pace style of Turner and Burgess failed to mesh with the slower pace of the 7-3 Frenchman.

"He probably averaged a double-double that season," Olson said.

Turner then spent two years in the service, where he starred on the All-Army team and led the team in scoring during his second year.

Though he never played in the NBA, he traveled with the AAU powerhouse Phillips 66ers as a semipro from 1963 to '65.

"He was probably the best basketball player to come out of North Idaho during his era," Olson said.

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Jones may be reached at ajones@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2268.