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Panthers open playoff run today South set to take first step in bid for state hoops berth By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN South Medford High's boys basketball team is two state sub-playoff wins away from making its fourth appearance in five years in the final 16 of the state tournament next week in Portland. The Panthers (13-10) will try to take the first step toward qualifying for the state tournament tonight when they meet David Douglas in the South gym. Game time is 7 p.m. The winner will travel to West Linn to meet the Lions on their home court Saturday night. West Linn finished second in the Three Rivers League. David Douglas was the fourth-place finisher in the Mount Hood League. South Medford head coach Dennis Murphy says his team is playing its best basketball of the season entering the state playoffs. The Panthers dominated two state playoff teams (Eagle Point and Roseburg) on the way to securing third place in the final Southern Oregon Conference standings with a 9-5 record. "We've had our best performances the last couple of times out," says Murphy. "We've played harder and smarter, and it's helped us." Nick Decker, South Medford's 6-foot-7 senior center, has scored 38 points and pulled down 21 rebounds during his last two games. He will have a significant height advantage over David Douglas center Ryan Heppner (6-4). "Nick has played with confidence and done some of the things we were looking for him to do consistently all season," says Murphy. "That's true of our entire team, however. That's why we were picked to win the league. "But the good thing is we're playing good basketball now," says Murphy. Point guard Steve Hilgendorf, who is averaging 12.5 points and 6.3 assists per game, had 13 assists in South's win over Roseburg last Friday night. The loss cost Roseburg the SOC championship. "We shot 53 percent and held them (the Indians) to 39 percent," says Murphy. "And we got 29 rebounds to their 18. Those are the kinds of things you have to do to beat playoff teams. "We've beaten two playoff teams at the end of the season (Eagle Point and Roseburg), which is a good sign." Other starters for South Medford are expected to be 6-4 Ethan Wallenberg at a wing position, 6-4 Colin Grant at forward and 5-11 sophomore Ryan Heil at guard. "Wallenberg has stepped up in recent games for us, and we need John McKay (a 6-3 forward) and Colin (Grant) to do the same thing in the playoffs," says Murphy. "We need them to score and rebound consistently." David Douglas, a small team, was led by 6-2 wing Jeremy Walker's 18 points in a 62-61 win over South Albany in a state sub-playoff game Tuesday night at South Albany. Josh Rist, a 5-7 senior, is expected to match up against Hilgendorf at point guard. "They (the Scots) play real hard, and I expect them to primarily man us (play man-to-man defense)," says Murphy. "We were a little surprised that David Douglas won at South Albany." David Douglas was the only road team to win in the six-game opening round of the state sub-playoffs. Regular-season passes will not be honored for tonight's playoff game. Oregon School Activities Association passes will be honored, Murphy says. All tickets will be general admission. Prices will be $6 for adults and $4 for students. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA