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Click Here 60 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, March 6, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental 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 Email Story to a Friend February 18, 2004 Black Tornado sophomore Kendall Gielow (21) gets tied up with Roseburg�s Seth Bauman on his way to the basket during Tuesday�s 58-53 victory over the Indians. Mail Tribune / Roy Musitelli North continues to rise Tornado maintains control of its postseason destiny with key SOC win over Roseburg By TIM PYLE Mail Tribune Caring as can be, North Medford kept fate in its own hands. The Black Tornado boys basketball team, committing a season-low five turnovers, secured a 58-53 home victory over Roseburg on Tuesday night to maintain control of its postseason prospects. North (14-8 overall) improved to 8-4 in Southern Oregon Conference play to keep pace with Grants Pass (8-4 SOC) in a tie for third place and creep within one game of second-place Roseburg (15-7, 9-3 SOC) with two regular-season contests remaining. Klamath Union (6-6 SOC), a 70-59 loser at home to the Cavemen on Tuesday, slipped two games back in the race for the SOC’s four Class 4A state- playoff berths. "What we knew was if we win, we’ve got control of our own destiny — in fact, we’ve got our eyes on No. 2," said third-year Tornado head coach Tim Sam, whose team has shrugged off the dismissal of senior guard Beau Hovland last week for disciplinary reasons. "If we lose, we’re fighting for our playoff lives. We didn’t call it a must-win, but we called it the biggest game of the year." Advertisement North responded to the challenge, leading most of the way in what was a well-played game by both teams. The Tornado’s turnover total, which Sam believed also equaled a program-low, was probably the difference. The Indians hurt their cause with 15 turnovers, including seven during a third quarter that North ruled. "I thought we had some opportunities but had some breakdowns," said Mike Pardon, Roseburg’s 11th-year head coach. "They did a good job. They took care of the ball. You have to give them credit." A 14-4 surge buried the night’s last tie, 30-30, and gave the Tornado a 44-34 cushion entering the fourth quarter. Roseburg cut the margin to as little as two — at 51-49 with 1 minute, 44 seconds remaining — but never caught North. A driving layup by junior guard Kyle Williamson extended the Tornado’s edge to 53-49 with 1:26 left. After senior center Seth Bauman’s inside bucket off a feed from senior forward Kevan Gerretsen brought the Indians back to within 54-51 with 49.8 seconds on the clock, Williamson provided another big play. Junior point guard Drew Herrera broke a full-court press by passing ahead to Williamson on the right sideline, and Williamson found senior post Ryan Lucas on the left for a layup and 56-51 advantage with 41.5 seconds to go. Roseburg had to resort to firing 3-pointers, and junior wing Ben Running’s defensive rebound and subsequent pair of free throws clinched it, at 58- 51 for North, with 18.8 seconds left. "Coach called time out (early in the fourth quarter) because we were kind of struggling, scaring ourselves like we always do," Williamson said of the Tornado’s adjustments against the Indians’ press, which caused three North turnovers early in the final period to fuel their comeback. "He said, ‘Gotta take care of the ball,’ and that’s what we did. We made smart passes, tried not to force anything, and it helped us get a big victory." Herrera’s ball-handling was nearly perfect all night, and he finished with a statistical line to reflect that — dishing eight assists against no turnovers. "We played smart down the stretch and just played a great team game, smart the whole game," said Herrera, who also collected seven points and two steals. "That’s what we needed." Both squads shot better than 50 percent from the field, with the Indians weighing in at 51.4 percent (19-for-37) and the Tornado hitting 51.2 percent (22 of 43). North also made 8 of 11 free throws in the fourth to finish 13-for-17, and Roseburg drained 10 of 11 from the stripe in the final quarter to end 10-for- 12. Bauman, who stands 6-foot-7, was 8-for-10 from the floor and 5 of 5 at the line in scoring a game-high 21 points to join five rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Setting him up on multiple occasions was Gerretsen, who amassed 11 points and six assists. Junior forward Steven Davis was efficient with nine points and five rebounds for the Indians. The Tornado was topped by Lucas’ 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting, and junior post Ty Ryan’s 5-of-6 effort for 10 points, along with four rebounds and three steals. Williamson compiled nine points, two assists and two steals; Running had six points, three assists, three boards and two steals; and sophomore swing man Kendall Gielow provided a lift with six points and three rebounds off the bench. It was, as Sam noted, a total team performance. "I think what overwhelms (Tuesday’s) stats is the type of teamwork that (the North players) have," said Sam, whose squad avenged a 56-42 loss at Roseburg on Jan. 23. "There is not a go-to-guy, necessarily. I know everyone says L-U-C-A-S, but guys have stepped up." The Tornado ends the regular season with road trips to Ashland and Grants Pass, while the Indians host Crater and travel to No. 1-ranked South Medford. The Cavemen play at South on Friday before meeting North on Feb. 26, and KU goes to Eagle Point and Crater. ROSEBURG (53) — Davis 9, Gerretsen 11, Bauman 21, Jeremiah 5, Hall 5, Behrens 0, Smith 0, Malone 2. Totals: 19-37 10-12 53. NORTH MEDFORD (58) — Running 6, Ryan 10, Lucas 14, Williamson 9, Herrera 7, Gielow 6, Berger 4, O’Brien 2. Totals: 22-43 13-17 58. Roseburg ................................... 12 14 8 19 — 53 North Medford ........................ 14 13 17 14 — 58 3-point goals — Roseburg 5 (Davis 2, Gerretsen 1, Jeremiah 1, Hall 1), North Medford 1 (Herrera 1). Technical foul — Roseburg coach Pardon. JV score — Roseburg 61, North Medford 41. Reach reporter Tim Pyle 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 © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times