Document text
53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, January 28, 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 January 7, 2005 One Krafft-y guard Justin Krafft’s move to point guard has helped Phoenix boys team become more efficient By KEVIN GOFF Mail Tribune Justin Krafft has had a long-running love affair with the game of basketball. Described as a gym rat, Krafft first caught a glimpse of the sport on television at age 4 and has been smitten ever since. "I don’t know what it was about (basketball)," says Krafft, who spends most of his time at open gyms or playing in the parks. "I’ve always followed it. I guess it was love at first site." For the Phoenix boys basketball team, Krafft’s arrival last season has been a sight for sore eyes. Advertisement The Pirates lost a number of players from last season’s state-playoff squad and returned just one starter in Nathan Bursk. Only three seniors, Krafft being one of them, head up this year’s team. "We’re coming along," says Phoenix coach Kevin Dixon. "We had a real problem with turnovers (at the start of the season) but we’ve cut back on them, and I think we are making some strides." Dixon moved the 6-foot-3 Krafft, a natural wing, to point guard prior to a home outing against Yreka four games ago. The shift has cut the turnovers down from nearly 25 a game to around 15, estimates the coach. "We had talked about it," says Dixon of the move, "and he says, ‘Ya, that’d be all right.’ "Justin has good instincts and is the best passer on the team. So (the move) wasn’t rocket science or anything. I mean, he’s still going through some growing pains in running the team but he gets the ball down the floor and sees the court better than anyone on the team." Krafft, a slashing style of player who can also step out and hit 3-pointers, is averaging around 16 points per game. He poured in season highs of 32 against North Valley in a nonconference contest and 25 points in his first game running the team. The new position has cut into his shot attempts, but Krafft has been pleased with the team’s progress. "(Point guard) is a lot more pressure on me," he says. "But I like to do it cause the team is doing better. "I have to say I like playing wing better cause you can create more and score more, but as long as I’m helping the team I’m cool with it. It’s fun dishing to people and creating." Like most love stories, Krafft’s has seen its share of peaks and valleys. Born in San Francisco, Krafft moved to Ashland when he was 10. While at Ashland High, Krafft didn’t see eye to eye with basketball coach Rick Cornelius and decided to transfer to Phoenix prior to his junior year. "We butted heads a little," says Krafft. "I think Rick Cornelius is a good, smart coach. We just didn’t get along real well." Krafft, who lives with his mom and twin sister Hana, didn’t hit it off with Dixon at the outset, either. "I think he heard some rumors about me that weren’t true," says Krafft, who played mostly on the junior varsity team last season. "We didn’t get along at the beginning but now I love him like he’s my dad. We talk about anything and, like me, he loves basketball." The relationship between the two, despite some setbacks here and there, continues to progress. "He’s always had the talent, he just needed to work on his work ethic" says Dixon. "We’ve had some struggles, some ups and downs. There have been times when I thought he’d be a very good player and there have been times when I didn’t even know if he’d be on the team. "But he’s really working hard at it. That’s what I appreciate the most." Krafft’s improving work ethic paid dividends during a brutal nonconference schedule. Phoenix played 11 of its 12 nonconference games on the road, and had matchups with second-ranked Tillamook and a pair of Class 4A opponents. But the Pirates persevered and improved their record to 7-6 after a victory over Illinois Valley in the Skyline Conference opener on Tuesday. "(The schedule) was tough for a young team," says Dixon. "But it’ll help in the long run." The team comes first, says Krafft, but the 18-year-old would like to do enough individually to catch the eye of college recruiters. "I’d just like to make a name for myself," says Krafft. "Hopefully, I can get a small-college offer or something. I’d really like to do something with basketball, whether it’s playing or coaching. "(Basketball) is just something I really love to do." Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] . 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