Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend March 14, 2006 Panthers treated to one last ovation Prep Notebook By DON HUNT Mail Tribune The Class 4A state championship basketball game had been over for an hour or so when the South Medford High players filed off a bus and into Eugene’s Hilton Hotel late Saturday night. The sting of the 59-57 loss to Lake Oswego was still present on their long faces. As they walked into the lobby, several dozen South Medford fans who had gathered for dinner gave them a standing ovation, followed by a supportive chant. The journey that was the 2005-06 season had finally come to an end. As painful as it was to come oh-so-close to winning it all, this was a final pleasant memory the players could take with them. Coach Dennis Murphy, still yearning for a 4A title after 18 seasons at South, arrived a few minutes later, to more applause and more cheers. Murphy knows legitimate opportunities to win a title don’t come along every year, and that this was a golden opportunity that slipped through his team’s grasp. Advertisement He will probably the game and a frantic fourth quarter relive a thousand times, seeing Michael Harthun’s potential game-winning, 3-point shot bouncing off the backboard again and again. He will surely analyze, scrutinize and contemplate what he could have done differently. Should the Panthers have pressed earlier than the fourth quarter, even though it was their third game in three nights? Should they have double- and triple-teamed Lake Oswego star Kevin Love, the 6-foot-10 junior who finished with 24 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots. Should he have stuck his star — Kyle Singler — on Love earlier and risked Singler getting into foul trouble? Coaches beat themselves silly over such thoughts following a tough loss. But Murphy seemed remarkably philosophical. "If we play that team 10 times, I think we win five and they win five," he said. Indeed, South Medford and Lake Oswego were ranked 1-2 virtually the entire season, with the Panthers owning the No. 1 spot in The Associated Press poll and the Lakers holding the top position in the Oregonlive.com poll. Both will come back strong next winter. Lake Oswego will return nine of its 12-man roster, including starters Love and guards Taylor Marr and Ernie Spada. South Medford returns six of its 10-man roster, including Singler and Harthun, who are, with little argument, the state’s premier small forward and point guard, respectively. Look for Singler and Harthun to significantly ratchet up their scoring outputs next season. E.J. Singler, Kyle’s freshman brother, will turn from the team’s sixth man into a probable third scoring option and into one of its toughest rebounders and defenders. Juniors Jeff Stanek, Dylan Anderson and Jon Grimes will battle for increased playing time at the wings. The Panthers should also get help from a JV team that went 19-3 and a freshman squad that went 20-2. FANS FROM THE Rogue Valley came out of the woodwork at McArthur Court, comprising perhaps 60 percent of a crowd that numbered just under 7,000 for Saturday’s championship game. Hoop enthusiasts were on hand from not only South Medford but also from North Medford, Ashland, Eagle Point and many other surrounding schools. Former Panthers star Travis DeManby made the trip from California. DeManby, who played for Jerry Tarkanian at Fresno State, is teaching and coaching at a high school in Fresno. THE LAKE OSWEGO players were understandably emotional after winning the school’s first basketball state title. One year earlier, the Lakers led Jesuit by 14 points at halftime in the title game, only to watch the Crusaders conduct a furious second-half comeback and deny them the crown. But Love’s postgame escapade of climbing on the scorer’s table and pounding on his chest was uncalled for. Spontaneous celebrations with your teammates are one thing. That was altogether something else. LAKE OSWEGO COACH Mark Shoff had to feel a little vindicated after bagging his first state title. Shoff has been subjected to quite a bit of criticism in Lake Oswego and was nearly fired two years ago after a group of parents complained to school administrators that he was verbally abusive to some of his players. Shoff, who had his Lakers at the Abby’s Holiday Classic several years ago, comes off as a decent man and a competent coach. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Absinthe Supply Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Debt Consolidation California Casinos Generic Viagra Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Hammocks Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada King of Spirits Advertisement s