FAMU DRS' Erin Turral wins Florida Dairy Farmers Girls 2A Player of the Year

Erin Turral ranks as one of the most decorated athletes in the history of the Big Bend.

On Monday, the elite senior guard from FAMU DRS added more hardware to an already cluttered trophy shelf when she was named the 2021 Florida Dairy Farmers Girls 2A Player of the Year. 

This also  marks the third consecutive season in which she's won this prestigious honor.

Turral - the 2020 Big Bend Girls Player of the Year - received this award as sophomore and junior at Class 6A Lincoln.

"This is great. I got it twice when I was in 6A. It's nice to add this one to the collection," she said.

Turral's quick release and smooth stroke led to 28.8 points per game this past season. Her scoring average ranked 20th nationally and first in Florida and Class 2A.

Her talent and passion for the game are undisputed. The biggest attribute Turral added to her game this past season was strength and conditioning.

She dedicated long hours to running and lifting weights. Her goal was to be faster in transition and in sets around the key. The plan behind her weightlifting was to have a stronger presence for locking down opponents on defense.

"Going into this year, I knew I wanted to be on the floor to help my team. I wasn't in shape last year and got tired," she said.

"I worked out six days a week. I ran a lot and lifted weights. I put on muscle weight to be stronger."  

Turral led FAMU DRS to the brink of a state championship in 2020-21. The Baby Rattlers went 10-3 and blew out everyone along the way. Their crown-bearing hopes were dashed in a 73-63 setback to Miami Christian in the title game. 

The numbing feeling from the defeat has eased since the Feb. 27 loss in Lakeland. Seeing her future collegiate teammates at Stony Brook win the American East title this past Saturday to advance to the NCAA tournament played a major role in the healing proce. 

She's looking forward to being in Long Island, New York next year and helping the Seawolves build on this success. 

"It's great that they're going to the NCAA. They could've made it last year, but COVID stopped the tournament. When I come in, I want to help them go back to the tournament," she said.  

This past season was the second time Turral played under head coach Ericka Cromartie. Turral transferred to Lincoln after her freshman year.

Cromartie is proud of Turral for being a three-time Florida Dairy Famers award winner. The veteran coach feels her contributions to the storied program will live forever.  

"This shows the type of player she is. Not only are people in the city taking notice, but the state as well. She deserves every accolade she's greeting because she put in the work," Cromartie said. 

"Our program continues to excel. We have talent, but it all plays together for the team as well. It's a win-win. Erin and her sister (Erica) grew up with us. They're taking a part of FAMU DRS' legacy with them. It was an honor coaching them." 

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