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Taking the next step North Medford's Megan Fossen, a four-year varsity member for the Black Tornado, makes a pass during practice Monday. She is averaging a double-double on the season. [ANDY ATKINSON/MAIL TRIBUNE] Monday Jan 29, 2018 at 7:31 PM Jan 29, 2018 at 7:31 PM Kris Henry Mail Tribune @Kris_Henry For the North Medford girls basketball program, this season has been all about taking the next step. The Black Tornado has enjoyed its fair share of victories since head coach Tim Karrick returned for his second run with the program, but the truly big wins have been few and far between. All that changed last Friday when North Medford toppled then-No. 6 Sheldon, 52-45, to pin the first Southwest Conference loss on the visiting Irish and put a potential league title back in play for the Black Tornado, which moved to 10th in Monday’s Class 6A coaches poll. Now, Karrick and company hope to keep the ball rolling as North Medford (11-7, 5-1 SWC) entertains South Medford (12-7, 5-1) at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday in a battle of SWC teams tied for second place, just one-half game behind Sheldon (14-4, 6-1). “They were pretty excited after the game Friday for sure, we all were,” Karrick said Monday of the marquee triumph. “It was a big win in the program, probably a decade since we’ve won against one of the top teams in the state. That was good for the girls and obviously we’re hoping that transfers over for more confidence to keep it going. They’ve had to play through a lot.” Few on the team have endured more than senior Megan Fossen, who has been a regular at the varsity level with senior Rylee Karrick since entering high school. Fossen has served as one of the team’s primary players in the post for four years, and it hasn’t all come easy. “We’ve taken our lumps for years,” said coach Karrick, whose program has still been able to reach the state playoffs each year since 2010. “We have some girls playing varsity in their fourth year now, Megan and Rylee, and they’ve learned from experiences. We’ve been in some spots where their experience has helped us late in games, like the Sheldon game. The experience we’ve had playing in those games the last few years has helped and they’ve learned how to close games like that out now.” Rylee Karrick had 17 points in that key win, while Fossen provided yet another double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds to help North Medford earn its fifth straight win heading into Wednesday’s clash with the Panthers. “It’s been amazing,” Fossen said of the season thus far. “We’ve worked so hard for this so it’s great having the outcomes that we’ve been having. It’s all finally happening for us and we’re all just embracing it and trying to continue it.” Fossen is a prime example of the program’s transformation, largely due to her own transformation. Always a tireless worker in the paint at 5-foot-9, the senior standout put in a diligent effort in the offseason to come into this campaign a little leaner and with more agility to make the most of her abilities. “She is in the best shape of her life by far,” said Karrick. “I don’t know if I’ve had another girl between their junior and senior season work as hard as she has getting herself in shape and preparing for the season. It’s obviously been fun for us to watch, she’s just turned herself into such a great player.” All of that hard work has helped Fossen lead the Black Tornado in scoring, rebounding and steals. She enters Wednesday’s contest averaging 15.3 points and 10.8 rebounds per game, just ahead of Rylee Karrick in scoring and Adriane McLemore in rebounding. “I don’t think I’ve ever had a girl average a double-double for the entire season,” said coach Karrick, who was also head coach the last time North made the state tournament in 2008. “She’s not big (at 5-9), but it’s her second jump after she gets a rebound, she can go back up so quick. That’s really been a big difference for us. She’s always been a tough rebounder and tough kid on the court but this year she’s getting to more balls than she used to because she’s a little more athletic.” Fossen said it all started with trying to eat a little better, then combined that with non-stop workouts in the weight room and on the basketball court in hopes of taking her game to the next level for her senior season. “We just knew that was my next step,” said Fossen. “I knew basketball and how plays worked and getting everything down physically was the next step. I had the skill set, i just wasn’t all there yet. Every day now I’m just pushing myself to get better and achieve more.” Through all the sweat and dedication, it certainly has paid off for Fossen and her team. “She’s worked hard for this and deserves everything she’s getting,” said coach Karrick. Helping Fossen shine in the paint, along with the presence of 6-0 senior McLemore, has been her tremendous technical advantage over most of her opponents. Fossen has a knack for gaining proper position in the paint, using her lower body to gain leverage for rebounds and fiercely attacking the loose ball. “Since I don’t really have the height advantage,” she said, “I’ve just been learning moves and ways to get around defenders. It’s all about technique when you don’t have the size advantage.” Technique, as well as a definite tenacity. “I think mentally she’s just so much tougher,” said Karrick. “You’re not going to take the ball from her, it’s not going to happen. And the thing is she’s just the sweetest kid. She always has a smile on her face and is kind to everybody, but I think she realizes when she steps on the court, she can get a little ornery. I don’t know if I’d call her ornery, but she is just tenacious on the court.” As for her ability to contribute on both ends of the court, Fossen said a lot of that credit has to go to teammates who are working just as hard as her to make this a memorable season. “Especially on the scoring end it’s a team effort because almost all my points are coming from assists from my teammates,” she said. “Having them willing to be unselfish and pass me the ball has been amazing. They’re all good scorers, too, so it’s definitely nice to have them on my side and looking for me.” What would also be nice is gaining the program’s first win over South Medford since 2010 on Wednesday to continue the Black Tornado’s pursuit of its first league title in 10 years. North has finished third in the SWC in the past two seasons. “I’m ready for it and I’m excited,” Fossen said of the crosstown matchup. “It’s going to be a great game. Every game now is for that conference championship, so you’ve got to go in playing your hardest to win in every game.” — Reach reporter Kris Henry at 541-776-4488, [email protected], www.facebook.com/krishenryMT or www.twitter.com/Kris_Henry