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73 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, August 5, 2004 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 Prime Times Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Rogue Valley's Finest EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People 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 March 30, 2004 Crater star Montomery picks WSU SOC player of the year will be an integral part as the Pac-10 Conference Cougars try to rebuild By DON HUNT Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — Dani Montgomery, who led the Crater High girls basketball team to the Southern Oregon Conference championship last month and was named the league’s player of the year, has given a verbal commitment to attend Washington State University. The 5-foot-11 guard/forward made an official visit to the WSU campus in Pullman, Wash., this past weekend and knew immediately it was a good fit. "The campus was incredible, the facilities were amazing, and I really felt comfortable around the coaches," said Montgomery, who earlier visited Oregon, Portland and Portland State. "It’s a relief to have this (the recruiting process) over with, but I’m really excited about Washington State." Montgomery will get a full scholarship — tuition, books and room and board — for five years. The Cougars are in a rebuilding mode under second-year head coach Sherri Murrell, who grew up in Redmond. They were 2-26 overall and 1-17 in the Pac-10 Conference during the 2002-2003 season and 6-22 overall and 2-16 in conference play last season. Advertisement But with the overhaul comes opportunity for someone like Montgomery, who is expected to step right in and play. "I’m such a competitor that it would be very difficult for me to sit out and redshirt for a year," said Montgomery, who will sign a letter-of-intent with the Cougars on April 12. Montgomery averaged 14.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.1 steals last season for the Comets, who won the SOC with a 13-1 record and went 19-7 overall. Crater lost to Lakeridge — the eventual state runner-up — in the second round of the playoffs. Montgomery posted the first triple-double in school history on Feb. 10 against North Medford when she generated 13 points, 11 boards and 10 assists. "She played small forward for us, but I’m sure she’ll play mostly at the two guard for Washington State," said Crater coach Scott Dippel. "She’s very active and athletic around the basket, but she handles the ball well enough and shoots it well enough to play guard at the next level. "She’s just an excellent all-around player, and she’s always out there hustling." Montgomery may have secured her scholarship to WSU on Feb. 25 during the Comets’ first-round state playoff game against Willamette. With WSU assistant coach Mark Lewis in the stands, Montgomery took two charges at key points in the game while scoring 15 points and grabbing nine rebounds. Never mind that she made only 7 of 19 shots from the field that night. "I’m proud of my work ethic," says Montgomery, who carries a 3.65 grade-point average in the classroom. "Nothing has ever come easily to me. I’ve had to work for everything I’ve got." Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, 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 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