Let’s take a look at what Labarrius Turner isn’t.

He isn’t the leading scorer on the Northside boys basketball team.

He’s not even the No. 2 scorer.

Those spots belong to R.J. Sessions and Tay Sears.

He’s not the Patriots’ leading rebounder this season.

Justin Lawrence is that guy.

Even opposing coaches know what Turner isn’t.

“He’s not really the guy you make your game plan around.” Carver basketball coach Warren Beaulah said. “They have players who you talk about and who you plan for.”

But Beaulah points out one more thing that Turner isn’t.

“He also isn’t a player I’m going to miss seeing play against us,” Beaulah said.

We’ve established what he isn’t, but what is Labarrius Turner on the basketball court?

For the 6-6 Patriots, who play host to Northside-Warner Robins tonight, Turner is the guy who does whatever is necessary to get a victory.

That was evident during Tuesday’s 66-41 win over Carver.

During a five-minute stretch in the first and second quarters. Turner showed his versatility.

He scored six of his 10 points, blocked three shots (all in transition), came up with seven rebounds and had three steals. The Patriots went from being up one point to being nine points ahead before Turner took a breather on the bench.

“He really does what we need him to do,” Northside coach Kenny Lawrence said. “Coaches say stuff like that a lot, but it’s true with Labarrius. He is our most consistent player. I could say that after every game.

“He really does see what needs to be done on the floor, and he steps in to take care of it,” Lawrence continued. “He’s strong and doesn’t mind doing the dirty work, but, heck, he’s an honorable mention all-city defensive back in football, so he has some pretty good athleticism as well.”

On defense, that strength and athleticism serves Turner well. He’ll stop a point guard in transition, and he’ll guard a player in the post.

“What can I say?” Lawrence said. “He’s a hard worker, and he understands what needs to be done to win a game.”

So how does Turner describe himself?

“I just put it in my mind that I’m going to do whatever it takes to help my team win,” Turner said. “I play my role. Sometimes that changes throughout the game. Sometimes I’m the rebounder if Justine (Lawrence) is out, and sometimes I’m the guy that needs to score. I just want to win.”

Turner, who wears No. 5 in football and basketball, expects to continue his football career as a defensive back at Georgia Southern or Alabama State.

Is Turner just a football player on the basketball court?

“He and Justine, we kind of joke about them being our football guys and taking care of things down low,” his coach, Lawrence, said. “But he is a guy that is more than his stats. He really does care about winning.”

Turner said he really isn’t worried about the stats.

“Everybody has a role on this team, any team,” Turner said. “The other guys joke about me and Justine being the football players and not looking like basketball players. But we let them do their thing and we do ours.”

Sometimes outside appreciation can tell the story best. Beaulah, the Carver coach, has watched Turner for years.

“He’s the kind of kid any coach would love to have on his team,” Beaulah said. “He maximizes his abilities. … I don’t think he’s had a bad game. He always plays exactly the same way.”

“That’s something I wish I could bottle up and share with our kids.”