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Click Here 40 °F Forecast | Road Cams Wednesday, February 4, 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 January 24, 2004 Tornado has plenty in reserve for Indians By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune North Medford head coach Tim Karrick has spent the better part of this season hyping his team’s amazing depth to anyone who would listen. But then again, a coach commenting on how there really isn’t much difference between player No. 1 and player No. 10 on the roster is usually chalked up more as coach-speak than insight to a program. It falls in line with how that year’s cast is the best ever in terms of team chemistry. Every coach says it, yet it’s rarely something you can hang your hat on at the end of the day. Any doubts on Karrick’s sincerity were put to rest Friday night, however, as his 10th-ranked Black Tornado played without one of its leading players, saw its leading scorer struggle from the field and yet still came away with a 57-53 home victory over a feisty Roseburg team. Sophomore guard Naomi Mautz came off the bench to score a team-high 14 points and reserve post Samantha Heim added six points and six rebounds to spark North (13-3 overall) to its seventh straight victory. Advertisement The win also provided a little breathing room in the Southern Oregon Conference standings for the Tornado, which remained unbeaten at 6-0 as the Indians (11-5) dropped to 3-3 in SOC play. "Tonight was the quintessential reason why I think we’re a pretty good basketball team," said Karrick. "Our first five was really having trouble getting the ball through the hoop, and we bring in our second unit and they really picked the tempo up." Minus second-leading scorer Mellisa Eastwold, out with an injured knee, and with junior point guard Kailey Bostwick having a rare off night shooting (4-for-15 from the field), North couldn’t buy a basket early while Roseburg put on a clinic in taking a 15-6 lead after one quarter. Roseburg posts Katie Fuller and Shayla Corder made the most of Eastwold’s absence inside, combining for nine points and 10 rebounds in a first quarter dominated by the Indians. But just as soon as the Tornado faithful began squirming in their seats, Mautz provided an immediate lift with a 3-pointer to open the second quarter. After inducing a foul to give the ball back to North, Mautz drained another outside shot to trim Roseburg’s lead to 15-11 and put some pep back in the Tornado’s step. "This is the second game in a row that Naomi’s really given us a big spark," said Karrick, noting that the 5-3 dynamo had 13 points in last week’s win over Eagle Point. "She hit some big shots when we really needed it." "That whole second group really picked up the tempo and got us back in the game," added the coach. "We don’t win without them." Truth be told, the Tornado needed everything it could muster from each player against a Roseburg team beginning to jell. The defending SOC champions used good patience on offense and pounded the glass to maintain their lead. North managed its first lead of the game with 1:10 to play in the third quarter, but found the contest tied heading into the fourth quarter. By this time, however, North’s starters were finally finding their groove and Roseburg was beginning to become weary from the relentless Tornado pressure. A 44-43 Roseburg lead quickly vanished with four minutes to play as Bostwick manufactured a three-point play on a drive to the basket, then added another free throw to put North ahead 47-44. The Indians suffered a tough loss moments later as Fuller picked up her fifth foul while fighting for a rebound against Westermann. The 6-1 Roseburg post finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds, but had only two free throws to show for her second-half action. Westermann calmly knocked down both free throws, then answered a basket by Corynn Jorgensen with a pull-up jumper of her own to boost North’s momentum. Westermann scored seven of her 13 points in the fourth, and finished with nine rebounds and six steals. "Michelle Westermann had a great game," said Karrick. "She was amazing. She really picked it up and played the way I think she’s capable of playing every night." Two free throws by Corder pulled Roseburg within three points at 51-48 with 2:21 to play, but Caitlin Seeley powered in a driving shot for North. The Tornado closed out the Indians from the free- throw line and with more of its trademark defensive pressure. "It was just a fight to the end," said Westermann. "It came down to scrapping for every loose ball, and in the end I think that’s what we did better." Corder finished with 15 points and eight rebounds to lead Roseburg, while Katie Stephens had 12 points and Jorgensen added nine points and seven rebounds for the Indians. "We came out and worked as hard as we could," said Corder, a 5-10 sophomore. "North Medford’s a good ballclub and unfortunately we couldn’t hold on to our lead. Things didn’t happen the way we wanted toward the end." Still, the Indians proved they’re back on the right track after earlier losses to South Medford and Grants Pass. "Our kids played their hearts out tonight, and I couldn’t ask for anything more," said Roseburg head coach Bob Feasel. "We’re to a point now where we’ve kinda found some momentum. We’re going to be a pretty tough team the second part of the year." As is North, which continues to find a way to get the job done. "North’s got a good club, you’ve gotta give them credit," added Feasel. "They wouldn’t have the record they have right now if they weren’t deserving of it." ROSEBURG (53) — Corder 15, Stephens 12, Fuller 11, Jorgensen 9, Thompson 6, Martin 0, Br. David 0. Totals: 19-46 14-21 53. NORTH MEDFORD (57) — Mautz 14, Westermann 13, Seeley 12, Bostwick 11, Heim 6, Lilly 1, Murphy 0, Standifer 0, Heath 0. Totals: 18-52 20-32 57. Roseburg.....................................15 9 12 17 — 53 North Medford............................6 17 13 21 — 57 3-point goals — Roseburg 1-3 (Corder 1), North Medford 1-11 (Mautz 1). Fouled out — Fuller. Technical fouls — North Medford bench. JV score — North Medford 69, Roseburg 37. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, 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