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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend January 28, 2006 Lauren Berger, center, passes out of a double team by Ashland�s Hannah Sohl, left, and Bailey Hasty. Ashland swarms North Medford By KEVIN GOFF Mail Tribune ASHLAND — Brenna Heater wasn’t impressed with her Southern Oregon Conference debut against North Medford on Jan. 3. The 6-foot-3 freshman post dealt with nerves and foul trouble while scoring just two points in Ashland’s league-opening loss to the Black Tornado. Friday’s rematch, however, turned out to be another story as Heater powered her way to 21 points and 11 rebounds to help fourth-ranked Ashland avenge its only loss of the season with a 45-36 victory over North at Ashland High. Heater shot 8 of 12 from the field, blocked three shots and altered several others to erase the memory of the Grizzlies’ 48-46 setback against North. "I was so nervous before that game," said Heater. "I’m just more comfortable now than I was back then. Advertisement "Playing at home in front of this crowd really helped, too." The league-leading Grizzlies (18-1, 7-1 SOC) maintained their one-game edge over Roseburg, Crater and Grants Pass. North Medford (11-6 overall) has dropped two straight and is in fifth place at 4-4. Ashland, which trailed just once at 20-18 in the second quarter, held the Black Tornado scoreless for a 7½ -minute span that stretched to the midway point of the fourth quarter. The Grizzly lead expanded to 36-26 during that run. North Medford used one final push to creep within 36-32, but missed free throws and turnovers once again haunted the young team. The Black Tornado shot just 9 of 25 from the foul line and committed 24 turnovers. North was 9-for-27 at the charity stripe during Tuesday’s overtime loss to Crater. "Those things kill us," said Tornado coach Tim Karrick. "There were parts where we played well and did a lot of good things. As a group, we’re still trying to learn how to finish games, especially on the road. "But give Ashland credit. They’re a very good team and they showed that tonight." Heater scored six of Ashland’s first 10 points to assist in a 10-2 run to start the game. North Medford, meanwhile, turned the ball over five times in the opening three minutes against the Grizzlies’ full-court pressure. "We really came out focused," said Ashland coach Ken Lathen. "The whole team played inspired. And Brenna ... she was such a dominant force. "We have come a long way since that first game (against North Medford)." The Black Tornado also found a spark early on from its young post. Sophomore Erica Schultz used an array of mid-range jumpers and drives to the hoop to kick-start North offensively. Her foul-line jump shot at the 2:34 mark in the second quarter capped a 13-3 run that gave the Tornado its only lead. Ashland recaptured a 23-21 advantage to end the half and Heater scored nine points in the third period, including a layin and two free throws in the last two minutes, to send the Grizzlies into the final quarter with a 34-26 cushion. Unlike the first meeting, when North Medford used a big third quarter to take command, Ashland was the aggressor out of the halftime break. "It seemed like it was the same game overall," said Grizzlies senior guard Jamie Roupp. "This time we decided to focus on ourselves and not what they were doing. We managed to stay calm." Roupp and starting back-court mate Josie McDermott, who scored 11 points and made 7 of 8 from the free-throw line, provided a steady presence against North’s defensive pressure. "Roupp’s leadership is unbelievable," said Lathen. "She keeps us steady out there. "There were times we slipped a little — North is an aggressive, well-coached team that keeps coming after you. But we keep getting better, and tonight was a big step." Senior post Danielle Thompson came off the bench to grab six rebounds, while Bailey Hasty and McDermott each had four steals. Schultz finished with 16 points and eight rebounds for the Tornado. Sophomore guard Whitney Hodnett added a team-high 10 rebounds. North Medford welcomes South Medford on Tuesday, while Ashland faces another tough test when it travels to play Crater. "I’m happy with where we are right now," said Lathen, "but at the same time I recognize Crater, Roseburg and Grants Pass could beat us. We have a lot of work still left ahead of us." NORTH MEDFORD (36) — Barry 3, Schultz 16, Preston 0, Siebenlist 1, Hodnett 4, Berger 6, Parker 0, Ross 6, Heim 0. Totals: 13-46 9-25 36. ASHLAND (45) — Thompson 4, McDermott 11, McKinnis 0, Roupp 6, Sohl 1, Hasty 2, Laipply 0, Heater 21. Totals: 13-37 19-29 45. North Medford..............................7 14 5 10 — 36 Ashland.......................................15 8 11 11 — 45 3-point goals — North Medford 1 (Barry 1). Fouled out — Heater. JV result — North Medford won. Reach reporter Kevin Goff at 776-4483 or e-mail Ashland swarms North Medford ">[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 Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s