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Click Here 43 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, January 30, 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 February 28, 2003 Lake Oswego puts an end to Crater’s season with rout By CLIFF PFENNING For the Mail Tribune LAKE OSWEGO — The Crater girls basketball team didn’t reach the Class 4A state tournament, but the Comets at least got a taste of what the tournament experience is like before losing to No. 7 Lake Oswego, 84-41, Thursday night in the second round of the state playoffs. After finishing fourth in the Southern Oregon Conference, the Comets were faced with winning three games on the road to reach the state tournament for the fourth straight year, and they stayed in motels Tuesday and Wednesday after winning at Corvallis Tuesday in the first round of the playoffs. Crater’s playoff run came to a quick end Thursday as the Lakers, who play in the powerful Three Rivers League, scored on seven of their first eight possessions and made 62 percent of their field-goal shots for the game to easily move into a third-round contest at Portland’s St. Mary’s Academy Saturday. Crater got nine points from junior Katie Robertson, eight from junior Whitney Black and six from senior Erin Kenny. The Comets ended their season at 15-12 overall. "It was kind of like a mini-tournament experience," Crater coach Scott Dippel said. "Although we didn’t get to the tournament, we got to experience what it’s like. That’s good for everyone." The Comets won six of their final eight regular-season games, including an SOC playoff with South Medford, to reach the state playoffs for the eighth straight year. Kenny said living in a motel for two nights didn’t hurt the Comets as much as Lake Oswego’s outside shooting. Kelsey Lavender, a 5-foot-8 junior guard, hit six of her eight three-point shots in the first half and wound up with 28 points. Junior guard Tiffany Behary scored 25. Lake Oswego was 9-of-14 from 3-point territory. "They were on fire," Kenny said. "It didn’t matter if we got a hand in their face or whatever. They just made everything." The Lakers (18-7) led 19-5 after four minutes and were never threatened thereafter. Crater’s statistical victories were in offensive rebounds, 11 to 9, and in attempting 25 free throws to just 10 for the Lakers. And the Comets had a respectable turnover total of 18. "We didn’t compete to the best of our ability," Black said. "But we played with them. I don’t regret our effort." Dippel, who completed his first season as head coach, agreed. "The enthusiasm was there, that didn’t go away," he said. "This game isn’t going to crush that. I think it’s only going to make the girls work harder in the spring and summer for next season." Black said the Comets, who were the No. 2 seed at the state tournament last season and played in the 2001, 2000 and 1998 state final, would look different next season. "We worked harder than any team I’ve played on this season," Black said. "But we weren’t polished. We’ve got a new coach and new plays and we just need to be more polished. We’re going to take care of that in spring and summer and we’ll be a new team next season." Kenny said the Comets season — and getting to the playoffs — would sit well with her as a Crater alum. Crater graduates just three seniors —Kenny, Crystal Huntley and Shannon Kell. "It’s never going to be enough until we win a state title," she said. "But I’m happy with what we accomplished." CRATER (42) — Robertson 9, Black 8, Montgomery 7, Wasniewski 5, Kinney 4, Stoner 4, Huntley 4, Bettencourt 1, Kell 0, Green 0, Adams 0, Tyska 0. Totals: 14-37 13-25 42. LAKE OSWEGO (84) — Lavender 28, Behary 25, Lee 18, Richardson 4, Brown 3, Lindley 3, McCarter 2, Moore 1, Barton 0, Peterson 0. Totals: 35-52 5-10 84. Crater............................................7 12 15 8 — 42 Lake Oswego ........................... 22 23 19 20 — 84 3-point goals — Crater 1 (Black 1), Lake Oswego 8 (Lavender 6, Behary 2). 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! 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