Turret to Coach Basketball at Birmingham

Elliot Turret, who coached Crossroads High to five consecutive appearances in Southern Section basketball championships, has been named coach at Birmingham High.

Turret, 36, had a 105-32 career record at Crossroads, which won the 1-A title in 1986 and Small Schools championships in 1982 and 1983. He replaces Jeff Halpern, who left Birmingham after one season to take an assistant coaching job at College of the Canyons.

Birmingham advanced to the City Section 3-A final last season before losing to Granada Hills, 60-55. The Braves were 22-3, but only one varsity player is returning.

“It’s going to be a transitional year,” Turret said. “The kids seem spirited and willing to work hard. We don’t have any size, but the sense I get is that they have big hearts. I’d rather have heart than size--but I wouldn’t mind having both.”

Turret, who will teach English at Birmingham, left Crossroads after the 1985-86 season after accepting an offer to coach a professional team in Australia. The job fell through at the last minute, however, and Turret spent last season as an assistant at Manual Arts.

“We are happy to have Elliot on board,” said Jeri Durham, administrator for athletics at Birmingham. “He has wonderful credentials.”

Birmingham has perhaps the best athletic facilities in the City Section, which appeals to Turret.

“It’s an incredible facility at Birmingham,” Turret said. “At Crossroads, we didn’t even have a gym to practice in. Crossroads High could fit into one corner of the Birmingham campus. I’ll need a scooter to get from my English classes to the gym.”