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57 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, January 26, 2005 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Real Estate Guide Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People Volunteer Opportunities Moving to Southern Oregon? MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend December 15, 2004 South Medford�s Kyle Singler is expected to return to the lineup next week. To the victors go the spoils South Medford’s recent dominance in the SOC helps make Panther boys preseason pick for league title By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune When you’ve won three straight Southern Oregon Conference championships and return quite possibly one of the best sophomores in the state, you’re going to get the benefit of the doubt. That’s the case for South Medford’s boys basketball team this season as the Panthers are the coaches’ pick to repeat as champion despite having one of its most inexperienced teams in years. Sixth-ranked South picked up six first-place votes and tallied 48 points overall to edge Roseburg (42 with one first-place nod) for the top spot in the coaches’ preseason poll. Grants Pass was picked to place third with 35 points, one point ahead of North Medford, which also garnered a first-place vote. Ashland (26), Eagle Point (17), Klamath Union (12) and Crater (10) rounded out the poll in a league race most consider fairly open. "The league is tougher," says 17th-year South head coach Dennis Murphy. "Are we better basketball teams? Probably not, but it makes for a very competitive league." Advertisement Playing with five first-year starters thanks to a broken right thumb sustained by sophomore Kyle Singler during the football season, South Medford enters this week’s action with a 3-1 record that belies how the Panthers have truly performed thus far. South had its 41-game home winning streak snapped with a lackluster loss to third-ranked South Eugene in its season opener and then escaped another loss the following day to North Eugene in a one-point contest. The young Panthers settled down to secure a road sweep of Mountain View and Bend over the weekend but still aren’t close to the team most expect South to field once the SOC season begins on Jan. 7. "We’re not going to get a read on South until Kyle gets back as far as how good they really are," says Grants Pass head coach Bill Cowell. "I think going in, everyone’s kinda conceding (the SOC title) to them, but they’ve struggled a little. Then again, I don’t know who wouldn’t without their No. 1 guy." Singler, who had his cast removed Monday but isn’t expected to make his first appearance of the season until the Medford Holiday Classic on Dec. 28, averaged 11.9 points for the veteran Panthers last season as a freshman. Unfazed by the limelight of his first Class 4A state tournament, the 6-foot-8 standout averaged 11 points and 9.3 rebounds in helping South to the fourth-place trophy. Murphy says the Panthers will need even more from Singler this season to offset their general inexperience. Only Brent Johnson and Isaiah Adams saw meaningful action for South’s varsity last season, with junior transfer Kendall Gielow starting off-and-on for North Medford. "Kyle has to step up, but all the times we played a year ago, he did that, so I’m not too concerned about that," says Murphy. "All the attention’s going to be put on him, but he’s got big shoulders and we’re going to have to get on his back and ride him." As vital as Singler will be to South’s overall picture, however, the Panthers are far from a one-man show. Johnson, a 6-7 junior, may possess more pure basketball skills than older brother Craig, who was last year’s SOC player of the year and a first-team all-state pick. The younger Johnson has a soft touch from the outside and can range out to the 3-point line, and he is also effective in the paint. "People are going to have to respect his ability inside and hopefully that will open up some things for us," Murphy says of Johnson, who’s averaging 10.5 points per game. Adams and freshman point guard Michael Harthun give South a potent combination in the back court, with Adams averaging 11.8 points per game and Harthun a team-high 16.5. Both can light it up from the outside and take the ball to the basket and stand to have their games open up even more once Singler returns. Harthun, especially, has been a bright spot for South early on with his innate scoring ability, but he’s still learning the finer points of how to manage each possession at the point. "It’s a fine line when you are told you have to run things but don’t sacrifice your scoring to do that," says Murphy. "It’s something I think he’ll get more comfortable with as the season unfolds." Juniors Gielow (6-7) and Myles Daley (6-6) allow South a number of alternatives from the wing, with seniors Jon Weaver and Mark McKay providing the intangibles a team needs to be successful. "What it’s really going to come down to is our learning curve," says Murphy, whose team opens the SOC slate at home against North. "It could be extremely big, and if it is, we’re probably going to be a pretty good basketball team by the end of the season." Roseburg has already shown itself to be a contender with a solid 5-0 start and a bevy of athletes to call upon. The Indians return starting guard Steven Davis and senior lettermen Isaiah Smith and John Malone and are as rich in talent as any team with 6-8 post Jeff Stricklin, 6-7 post Eric Thompson, 6-4 guard Jacob Schott and 6-2 guard Skylar Snook. "I don’t know where we’re going to end up but I like how we’re playing," says 12th-year Roseburg coach Mike Pardon. Grants Pass (3-2) returns player-of-the-year candidate Jake Dastrup, who is a three-year starter and can be a game-breaker from the perimeter or by taking the ball to the basket. "He’s the guy with the experience and, when things get a little crazy out there, Jake’s the guy we’re hoping seizes control of the situation," says Cowell, who became the winningest coach in school history (111-33) last season. The Cavemen feature a potent combination inside in Jason Nunnemaker (6-6) and Brad Erbe (6-6), with Crater transfer Austin Wiersma running the show at point guard. "Grants Pass’ starting five is as good as anybody’s," says Eagle Point coach Keith Williams. North Medford (1-2) boasts its best team balance in coach Tim Sam’s tenure with returning starters Ben Running, Kyle Williamson, Ty Ryan, Drew Herrera and John Berger, who started about half of North’s games last season. "We’ve gone from a single-minded attack to a more balanced team this year," says Sam. "We could have any one of our kids be a leading scorer." "I really think we’re a better team than we have been," adds the fourth-year coach. "I think we can win the conference but, at the same time, we could be battling for a spot to get into the playoffs, depending on how the ball rolls around the rim." Forcing a muddled playoff picture is a revitalized Ashland program led by returning starters Jeff Skinner and Corey Costantino and a host of Grizzlies who have risen up the ranks together to provide Ashland its most complete team in quite some time. "I really think Ashland’s going to be the team that’s going to surprise some people," says Cowell, echoing the sentiments of most SOC coaches. "They have five or six guys with experience, and they’re not bad basketball players. They’ve got some good talent over there." Eagle Point, Crater and Klamath Union are each in rebuilding years, with the Pelicans losing all but one starter from last year’s team and the Eagles and Comets both young and inexperienced at the varsity level. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] SOC BOYS BASKETBALL 2004-05 Predicted Finish (first-place votes in parenthesis) 1. South Medford (6) 48 2. Roseburg (1) 42 3. Grants Pass 35 4. North Medford (1) 34 5. Ashland 26 6. Eagle Point 17 7. Klamath Union 12 8. Crater 10 2003-04 Final Standings LEAGUE OVERALL W L W L x-South Medford 14 0 27 2 x-Roseburg 10 4 16 9 x-Grants Pass 9 5 18 8 x-North Medford 9 5 15 11 Klamath Union 8 6 14 9 Ashland 3 11 7 16 Crater 3 11 6 18 Eagle Point 0 14 2 20 x—playoff qualifier PAST SOC CHAMPIONS 2003-04 — South Medford (14-0) 2002-03 — South Medford (13-1) 2001-02 — South Medford (14-0) 2000-01 — Roseburg (13-1) 1999-2000 — Tie, Grants Pass (11-3) and Roseburg (11-3) 1998-99 — North Medford (12-2) 1997-98 — South Medford (16-0) 1996-97 — South Medford (15-1) 1995-96 — South Medford (15-1) 1994-95 — Roseburg (15-1) 1993-94 — South Medford (16-0) 1992-93 — North Medford 1991-92 — North Medford 1990-91 — South Medford 1989-90 — Crater 1988-89 — North Medford 1987-88 — Ashland 1986-87 — South Medford SOUTH MEDFORD COACH: Dennis Murphy (17th year) LAST YEAR: 27-2, 14-0 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 3-1. RETURNING STARTERS Player Ht. Yr. Kyle Singler 6-8 So. OTHER NOTABLES Brent Johnson 6-7 Jr. Isaiah Adams 6-5 Sr. Jon Weaver 6-2 Sr. Kendall Gielow 6-7 Jr. Michael Harthun 6-2 Fr. Myles Daley 6-6 Jr. Mark McKay 6-2 Sr. Jordan Wright 5-11 Sr. Tony DeSimone 6-0 Jr. AT A GLANCE: Three straight SOC titles and a fourth-place trophy at last year’s state tourney is more than enough reason to give South the benefit of the doubt heading into its SOC opener Jan. 7 vs. North Medford. "There’s no question there’s going to be expectations, and hopefully we step up and meet those," says Murphy. "We’ve got enough talent, we just have to learn if we can play well together." ... Despite being a freshman on a senior-dominated team last year, Singler was third in team scoring at 11.9 points per game and certainly lived up to his preseason hype. A broken thumb has sidelined the phenom, with a return date slated for next week’s Medford Holiday Classic. ... Johnson came on strong toward the end of last season and offers a nice inside-outside game with his powerful frame and deft touch to 19 feet. ... Adams moves to the two- guard slot after a season in which he was one of South’s top spot-up threats from 3-point range. ... Unheard of during most of Murphy’s reign, point guard Harthun is South’s second starting freshman in as many years and is currently leading the team in scoring at 16.5 ppg. ROSEBURG COACH: Mike Pardon (12th year) LAST YEAR: 16-9, 10-4 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 5-0. RETURNING STARTERS Player Ht. Yr. Steven Davis 6-2 Sr. OTHER NOTABLES Isaiah Smith 6-4 Sr. John Malone 6-5 Sr. Jeff Stricklin 6-8 Sr. Eric Thompson 6-7 Jr. Myles Walkup 6-2 Sr. Jacob Schott 6-4 Sr. Skylar Snook 6-2 Sr. Brett Stephens 5-10 Jr. Ben Malone 5-11 Sr. David Shriver 5-9 Sr. AT A GLANCE: Roseburg’s blend of height and athleticism makes it a viable contender for the Indians’ first SOC title since 2000-01. Balanced scoring is key for Roseburg, with the Indians averaging about 70 points per game thus far. "We’ve got different kids stepping up on different nights," says Pardon. "We’re doing it all by committee and guys are accepting their roles and I’ve been pleased with how well we’ve been sharing the ball." ... Davis, Smith and John Malone are the only varsity returners, but Stricklin and Thompson have more than held their own inside thus far to provide Roseburg yet another post tandem capable of dominating a game. "If people want to run, we’ll come out and run. If people want to slow it down, we’re fine with slowing it down, too," Pardon says of his team’s flexible attack. ... Point guard duties are shared by Snook and Walkup ... John Malone is hobbled and has yet to play this season. ... Schott and Ben Malone have been pressed into early service due to injuries and, along with Stephens, should provide solid depth on the bench. GRANTS PASS COACH: Bill Cowell (ninth year) LAST YEAR: 18-8, 9-5 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 4-2. RETURNING STARTERS Player Ht. Yr. Jake Dastrup 6-2 Sr. OTHER NOTABLES Kevin Berg 6-2 Sr. Brad Erbe 6-6 Sr. Jason Nunnemaker 6-6 Jr. Austin Wiersma 6-2 Jr. Craig Dolmage 5-11 So. Billy Cowell 6-0 Jr. Taylor Thorpe 5-8 Jr. Kenny Lathen 6-2 Jr. D.J. Ingledue 5-11 Jr. Ben Murray 6-1 Jr. Trent Tocher 6-2 Sr. AT A GLANCE: Dastrup is the SOC’s top returning scorer after posting 13.4 points per game last season. In his third varsity season, Dastrup is a top contender for player-of-the-year honors considering his all-around abilities. "The biggest thing is he’s just so comfortable with the ball and he believes he can score at any time," says Cowell. "Sometimes you have to harness it, but that confidence is something you can’t teach." ... The Cavemen have finished among the top 16 teams in the state playoffs the past five years. ... Wiersma is a transfer from Crater, where he would’ve been the Comets top returning scorer at 8.1 points per game. Cowell hopes Wiersma’s move to point guard will help take pressure off Dastrup and keep teams honest with his scoring ability. ... Berg was the team’s sixth man last season and has been its most consistent player thus far. ... Erbe and Nunnemaker are solid inside, with Nunnemaker overcoming a slight fracture in his right wrist to add double-digit scoring. ... Dolmage provides a big spark off the bench for guard-rich GP. NORTH MEDFORD COACH: Tim Sam (fourth year) LAST YEAR: 15-11, 9-5 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 1-2. RETURNING STARTERS Player Ht. Yr. Ty Ryan 6-5 Sr. Drew Herrera 6-0 Sr. Ben Running 6-4 Sr. Kyle Williamson 6-1 Sr. OTHER NOTABLES John Berger 6-5 Sr. Mike Barry 6-5 Sr. Abe Eubank 6-3 Jr. Eric Stroh 6-1 Jr. Steven Theel 6-6 Jr. Shaun Waldron 6-6 Sr. Jeff Stanek 5-6 So. Jason Slowey 6-3 So. Colby Neel 6-4 So. AT A GLANCE: Few teams in the SOC can rival North’s level of experience, with the Black Tornado returning four of its top six scorers from last season. Ryan is in his third season as a starter, with Herrera, Running, Williamson and Berger each second-year starters. ... For the first time in Sam’s four years, North didn’t have to wait for its football players to join the team and the coach says it definitely shows in the Tornado’s solid start to the season. ... Herrera is playing with a torn knee ligament but Sam says the point guard refuses to let that slow him in his senior season. "Drew loves the game of basketball and it shows," says the coach. "His enthusiasm just kinda bleeds out of him." ... Running and Williamson give North the ability to run the court or play a half-court style. ... Berger is North’s prime threat from the perimeter, which should open things up inside for Ryan. ... Barry and Stroh provide North a 3-point jolt off the bench. "This is by far the best range we’ve had in our guards since I’ve been here," says Sam. ASHLAND COACH: Rick Cornelius (third year) LAST YEAR: 7-16, 3-11 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 3-1. RETURNING STARTERS Player Ht. Yr. Jeff Skinner 6-2 Sr. Corey Costantino 6-3 Sr. OTHER NOTABLES Josh McDermott 6-4 Sr. Sam Littleton 5-10 Jr. Josh Cornelius 6-3 Jr. Brian Kitchell 6-1 Sr. Steven Eriksen 6-5 Sr. Colin Reinstedt 6-3 Jr. Richard Lee 6-2 Sr. Ryan Pittman 6-2 Jr. Sache Hartzell 6-1 Jr. Colin Costantino 6-2 So. AT A GLANCE: Tabbed by the league’s coaches as a team to watch this season, Ashland boasts the best squad its had in quite some time. Costantino led the Grizz in scoring last year (9.5 ppg) and even more is expected this season. "When he’s playing within himself and he lets the game come to him," says Rick Cornelius, "he can compete with the best of them in the conference." ... A three-year starter, Skinner provides a physical presence inside and is a nice complement to Josh Cornelius. "When we get Jeff going and Josh Cornelius going inside, they can present a lot of problems for a team," says the coach. ... McDermott grew three inches and added 25 pounds in the offseason to give Ashland another solid inside-outside threat. "He has the ability to knock down 3s and go to the hole," says the coach. ... Littleton has a quick first step at point guard and a knack for scoring off the dribble. ... Eriksen provides depth in the low post, with Reinstedt capable of putting up numbers from the perimeter and Kitchell providing a stabilizing influence. EAGLE POINT COACH: Keith Williams (second year) LAST YEAR: 2-20, 0-14 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 2-4. RETURNING STARTERS Player Ht. Yr. Mychal Williams 5-11 Jr. Derek Grieve 6-3 Jr. Juan Almaraz 5-7 Sr. OTHER NOTABLES Shasta Bateman 6-0 Jr. Brandon Warner 6-0 Jr. Ben Strickland 5-11 Jr. Mike Hagert 6-1 So. Zach Krzyzanski 5-10 Jr. James Warne 6-4 Jr. Nate Idrogo 5-7 Sr. Cody Boles 5-10 Sr. Brandt Nevin 5-11 So. AT A GLANCE: Eagle Point returns three of its top four scorers from last season in Williams (8.3 ppg), Grieve (7.7) and Almaraz (6.2). The two- year starters will need to take their efforts up a notch this season in order for the Eagles to win their first SOC game since a 1-13 campaign in the 2001-02 season. "We’ve got some kids with some skills," says Keith Williams. "Our biggest problem is we don’t have any size, and that’s just going to kill us (in the SOC)." ... Mychal Williams, the coach’s son, is EP’s top threat from the perimeter and has the ability to take the ball to the basket as well. A little more physically mature this season, the junior is averaging 16 points and five assists thus far. ... Almaraz provides a solid complement to Williams at the point. ... Grieve has added about 20 pounds to his frame and has a good touch around the basket. The junior’s consistency will be a key for the Eagles as they search for an inside presence. ... EP adds two transfers in Strickland, from Modesto, Calif., and Hagert, who was at South Medford. KLAMATH UNION COACH: Bret Crawford (seventh year) LAST YEAR: 14-9, 8-6 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 1-3. RETURNING STARTERS Player Ht. Yr. Seth Hughes 6-2 Jr. OTHER NOTABLES Daniel Landrum 6-1 Jr. Daniel Bennett 5-11 Sr. Alex Foster 6-0 Jr. J.D. Martin 6-4 Sr. Joe Hill 6-4 Jr. Salvador Garcia 5-11 Sr. Mark Cruz 5-10 Jr. Matt Porter 6-2 So. Jeremy Yazzie 6-3 So. Tory Snyder 6-2 So. Kevin Maloney 6-2 So. Wesley Witcraft 6-0 So. AT A GLANCE: KU flirted with a state-playoff berth last season for the fifth straight time, but will be hard-pressed to do so again this year with its undersized, inexperienced cast. The Pelicans’ only experienced returner is Hughes. "Seth’s everything for us," says Crawford, whose team last advanced to the state playoffs seven years ago. "He’s a rebounder, a great shooter, a good assist guy and a leader for us on the court." Hughes is averaging about 19 points thus far for the Pels. ... Crawford says the question for his team is who is going to step up and take pressure off Hughes. Landrum is a prime option with his 3-point shooting prowess, and Martin provides another perimeter threat for a KU team that isn’t expected to be bashful in dialing up long-range shots. "Without any height or an inside game," says Crawford, "we’re just going to be living and dying with the 3 ball here, and we’ll see how it goes." ... Foster is capable at the point, while Bennett is KU’s top defender. CRATER COACH: Matt Meunier (eighth year) LAST YEAR: 6-18, 3-11 SOC. CURRENT RECORD: 1-5. RETURNING STARTERS Player Ht. Yr. Lenny Pierce 6-5 Sr. Drew Wilkerson 6-3 Sr. OTHER NOTABLES Jon Robertson 5-10 Sr. Callan Hartzer 5-10 Jr. John Wasniewski 6-0 Jr. Justin Biskeborn 6-1 Sr. James Oshel 6-5 So. Derek Hogenson 5-8 So. Deric Shults 5-8 So. Ben Louie 6-2 So. Chase Crook 6-4 So. Jordan Moser 6-1 So. AT A GLANCE: With six Comets a year removed from an undefeated freshman campaign, Crater anticipates its share of growing pains this season in the SOC. "We’re breaking them in slowly but they’re doing a good job," Meunier says of the sophomores. "It’s a much higher level at varsity than they’re used to, but they’re making adjustments." ... Pierce is the Comets’ top returning scorer, but that was at 4.6 points per game last year and Crater will need much more inside from him and Wilkerson to keep teams honest. ... Hartzer, who is more of a slasher on offense, sets the tone with his defensive intensity and all-around effort. "He’s got an unbelievable work ethic," says Meunier. "If we can get everybody to play as hard as Callan Hartzer, we’ll do well as a team." ... Robertson is the most polished of the Crater guards and can be a zone buster with spot-up shots from 3-point range. ... Oshel is a star in the making with his athleticism and skill, with great things also expected down the road from Moser, Hogenson and Shults. Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Student Loan Consolidation Conference Calls - $50/Month Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker, Trunk, Footlockers