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--> --> Raiders announce signings By Rich Rosenthal For the Ashland Daily Tidings In what he touts is a "major shift in the program's strength" from defense to offense, Southern Oregon University men's basketball coach Brian McDermott announced Wednesday the addition of four junior college transfers and three high school all-star standouts. Slated to don Raider jerseys next season are Jared Abell of Prineville, Blaine Bartholomew of Oakland, Nick Borrevik of Reedsport, Gabe Burchfiel of Medford,, Jordan France of Gresham, Ryan Gabel of Tigard and Zac Olson of Salem. "Overall, this is the most athletic group I have signed at SOU," the seventh-year coach said. "We have a solid core returning from last year, but this group gives us the potential for some very exciting offensive play. In terms of athleticism, we'll match up with teams much better than the last few years." Abell, a 6-foot-7, 205-pound forward, attended Oregon State the past two years after earning Intermountain Conference co-MVP honors as a senior at Crook County High. The first-team all-league and second-team Class 4A all-state selection averaged 24 points and eight rebounds in 1999-2000. "Jared has all the tools to be a great player in our league," McDermott said. "He is an explosive jumper with highlight reel abilities." Bartholomew, a six-foot point guard who redshirted at Western Oregon last season, was the 2000-01 Big Fir League MVP and a first-team Class 2A all-state performer at Oakland High, where he participated in a 56-game win streak and finished as the school's single-season scoring leader. He averaged 20 points and five assists as a senior and played on a state championship team. "Blaine is a quick and handy true point guard who knows how to lead," McDermott said. Borrevik, a 6-foot-6, 205-pound forward, garnered Class 3A all-state honors in both basketball and football (as a defensive back and wide receiver) at Reedsport High. As a hoopster, the three-time Far West League all-star averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds the past two years and finished as the school's all-time leading scorer. "Nick is the best passing forward I have seen at the high school level in Oregon," McDermott said. "He's a talented scorer who can shoot the 3 and rebound well, but his passing is what sets him apart." Burchfiel, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound forward, earned second-team Southern Oregon Conference for North Medford High last season after compiling 15-point and 11-rebound clips. "I really like Gabe's tenacity and work ethic," McDermott said. "Those are the attributes that could make him a key player in our program." The 6-foot-10, 260-pound France is the school's tallest center prospect in over a decade. The junior transfer from Umpqua Community College in Roseburg assembled eight-point, five-rebound averages en route to team Most Improved honors, the same honor he received as a senior at Centennial High in Gresham. "Jordan is an agile big man with great hands and a soft jump hook," McDermott said. "He has the potential to be a defensive force because of his shot-blocking ability." Gabel, a 6-foot-4, 195-pound forward, led Tigard High to the 2002 Class 4A state championship and finished with a long list of honors, including Pac-9 Conference MVP, first-team all-state tournament and second-team all-state. "Ryan has competed at a very high level against great competition and has proven that he is one of the top players in the state," McDermott said. "He had a huge state tournament, and he is a big-time catch for our program." Olson, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound senior guard, plans to end his collegiate basketball odyssey in a Raider uniform. The 1994 Valley League MVP averaged 20 points and five assists at North Salem High and was the 1997 regional junior college Player of the Year at Chemeketa Community College with 19-point and six-assist clips. Prior to his arrival in Ashland two years ago, he played at Lewis-Clark State College in 1999-2000. "Zac is a combo guard with all the skills," McDermott said. "He can penetrate, pass, knock down the 3-point ball or catch a lob for a dunk. He has a chance to be the most talented guard we've had since I've been here." The newcomers augment two starters and eight letterwinners eligible to return off last year's 15-16 squad that ranked among the Northwest's best for scoring defense and advanced to the Cascade Conference tournament championship game. "I think we now have a very good balance of players in terms of inside and outside abilities," McDermott said. "Our ultimate goal is to match what we've been doing defensively with a more up-tempo, balanced offense." Email your... 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