Document text
Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement Email Story to a Friend March 1, 2005 Singler lives up to expectations South sophomore named to SOC first team and all-defensive squad By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune Having expectations for an athlete is one thing. When that person’s able to meet or exceed those expectations, that’s when you know you’ve got something special. Although only a sophomore, South Medford’s Kyle Singler entered the 2004-05 Southern Oregon Conference boys basketball slate a marked man and still put his stamp on yet another championship run by the Panthers. The 6-foot-8 standout led the SOC in scoring at 19.9 points per game and was also a defensive force in leading South to a share of the league crown with Grants Pass and Roseburg. For his efforts, Singler was named to the all-SOC first team and all-defensive team by the conference’s coaches at their annual post-season banquet. Advertisement "It’s a great, great honor to be on the first team," said Singler, whose Panthers (21-5, 12-2 SOC) won a two-game playoff for the SOC’s No. 1 seed to the state playoffs. South Medford head coach Dennis Murphy said both honors for Singler were well-deserved. "To his credit, he really plays both ends of the floor really well," said Murphy, whose team has now earned at least a share of the last four SOC titles. "He’s a tremendous competitor and obviously well skilled, and we’re surely not done hearing about Kyle Singler. I think he’s handled his situation this year very well." Joining Singler on the SOC’s first team are Jake Dastrup and Jason Nunnemaker of Grants Pass and Roseburg’s Steven Davis and Isaiah Smith. Dastrup and Singler were both second-team selections last year, with the Grants Pass senior edging out the sophomore for SOC player-of-the-year honors. Dastrup was second in the SOC in scoring at 17.6 points per game, and was a vital figure in leading the Cavemen (18-7, 12-2) toward a late run that forced a first-ever three-way tie for first in the final standings. "I think he earned it," Singler said in deference to Dastrup. "He played well during the season and you really can’t argue with how good of a player he is. I have no doubt in my mind that I could have been the player of the year, but I think Jake played better than all the other players and deserved it." Although honored by his selection as the SOC’s top player, Dastrup said his work is far from over. "It’s good to be chosen but it doesn’t mean anything unless we keep winning and do some damage up at state," says the 6-2 guard. Grants Pass head coach Bill Cowell was named SOC coach of the year. "The coach of the year usually has two first-teamers on his team," Cowell said in all modesty. "We had a group that just kept working hard. We were 3-2 and finished up 12-2 because they kept working at it." Nunnemaker, a 6-6 junior, averaged 13.3 points and provided a force inside to help take some pressure off Dastrup. "Jake certainly was the catalyst, but he had a good supporting cast," said Cowell, whose team earned the SOC’s No. 2 seed to state. "Jake’s done a great job of getting the ball to other guys, but he carried us a lot of nights, too. We wouldn’t have been in this position without him." Davis, a 6-2 senior guard, was a third-team selection last year. He and Smith, a 6-4 wing, averaged 12.1 points per game in SOC play and provided Roseburg (22-3) with the senior leadership it needed to share the title. Davis and Smith were also all-defensive team selections, along with GP senior Kevin Berg and Ashland senior Josh McDermott. South freshman Michael Harthun and junior Brent Johnson were second-team selections, while junior Kendall Gielow was an honorable mention pick. "All four of us are coming back next year so hopefully that means we’re going to be tough for a couple more years and there’s a great future for our team," adds Singler. Also on the second team were Klamath Union’s Seth Hughes and Ashland seniors Corey Costantino and Jeff Skinner, who helped pave the way for the Grizzlies’ first trip to the state playoffs since the 1991-92 season. SOC Boys Basketball All-Stars FIRST TEAM Player School Yr. Pos. Ht. Jake Dastrup GP Sr G 6-2 Kyle Singler SM So W 6-8 Steven Davis Ros Sr G 6-2 Jason Nunnemaker GP Jr P 6-6 Isaiah Smith Ros Sr W 6-4 PLAYER OF THE YEAR — Jake Dastrup, Grants Pass. COACH OF THE YEAR — Bill Cowell, Grants Pass. SECOND TEAM Michael Harthun SM Fr G 6-2 Corey Costantino Ash Sr W 6-3 Brent Johnson SM Jr P 6-7 Seth Hughes KU Jr G 6-2 Jeff Skinner Ash Sr P 6-2 THIRD TEAM Josh Cornelius Ash Jr P 6-3 Derek Grieve EP Jr P 6-3 Mychal Williams EP Jr G 5-11 Eric Thompson Ros Jr P 6-7 Brad Erbe GP Sr P 6-6 HONORABLE MENTION — Josh McDermott, Sr., Ashland; Drew Wilkerson, Sr., Crater; Austin Wiersma, Jr., Grants Pass; Daniel Bennett, Sr., Klamath Union; John Berger, Sr., North Medford; Drew Herrera, Sr., North Medford; Kyle Williamson, Sr., North Medford; Ben Running, Sr., North Medford; Ty Ryan, Sr., North Medford; Myles Walkup, Sr., Roseburg; Jeff Stricklin, Sr., Roseburg; Kendall Gielow, Jr., South Medford. ALL-DEFENSIVE TEAM — Kyle Singler, So., South Medford; Steven Davis, Sr., Roseburg; Isaiah Smith, Sr., Roseburg; Kevin Berg, Sr., Grants Pass; Josh McDermott, Sr., Ashland. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] 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 Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy Advertisement s