Document text
CLOUDY Temp: 50 °F Wind: NNW at 6 mph Monday, April 14, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend March 16, 2003 Looking back at the Class 4A state tournament By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune PORTLAND — Looking back on the week that was at the Class 4A state boys basketball tournament, it’s hard to believe so much could happen in such a short span of time. The following is a recap of some of the more notable moments in and around Memorial Coliseum, or as I like to call it: How a state title was sabotaged by a hot dog and an overgrown teddy bear. WHILE SOUTH MEDFORD coach Dennis Murphy allows his players the opportunity to experience as much as they can on the trip to Portland, junior wing Andy Hagert got a little more than he bargained for. A night after shutting down Missouri-bound Thomas Gardner of Jefferson, Hagert and a handful of Panthers sat in the stands to support Grants Pass in its tourney-opener. To kill time and hunger pains, Hagert opted for a hot dog. Sounds harmless enough, right? Once all his loan papers were in order (yes, the food was that expensive), he downed the dog and probably didn’t think anything of it again until he made his way toward the restroom at a nearby restaurant the next morning. Known as one of South’s top slasher’s to the basket, Hagert came up a bit shy on this effort. He then spent the next few hours in the kind of vomiting frenzy one would imagine leading to a spinning head and levitation off the bed. Due to the food poisoning, Hagert, South’s top perimeter defender, missed Thursday’s one-point quarterfinal loss to the guard-oriented Hillsboro Spartans, as well as Friday’s fourth-place semifinal loss to McNary. It got so bad for the affable Panther that he was in the hospital Thursday night and received three bags of fluids because he was so dehydrated. He even had to be helped to his hotel room that evening. While Hagert’s presence wouldn’t have guaranteed anything for the Panthers, it sure would have been interesting to see how far they might have gotten considering the path Hillsboro was able to lay out to the championship final following Thursday’s victory. CLACKAMAS CENTER Adonal Arrington has all the makings of an intimidating force in the middle, save one. The senior stands 6-foot-11 and weighs 310 pounds after dropping 40 pounds from his football weight during the basketball season. But while those numbers pose a threat to any opposition, Arrington’s easygoing personality certainly didn’t. He rarely said a word on the court, typically sporting a shy smile on his baby face as the gentle giant lumbered up and down the court. Still, his unusual frame for a high schooler and the Cavaliers’ ability to take advantage of his traits helped send Grants Pass to the consolation round and put Clackamas one win from the championship final. KORY MAHR MAY WANT to revisit his decision to play football only at Northern Arizona University. The 6-6 Grants Pass senior had most coaches on hand wishing they had a player like Mahr, and hoping they didn’t have to face him for fear of how he would dominate their post players. Mahr averaged 20.6 points, 9.3 rebounds and was 22 of 32 from the field (68.8 percent) during the tournament. He might have also been the tournament’s most imposing low-post defender, with all due respect to Arrington. Mahr averaged three blocked shots per game and altered at least twice as many. UPON FURTHER REVIEW, Murphy and crew weren’t out practicing during the pre-tournament luncheon on Tuesday. Although that was the story given to those on hand, it was more of a "wink, wink" kind of deal. While the 15 other coaches and their teams were offering up their tourney thoughts and devouring the free food, Murphy and the Panthers were at their hotel "preparing." Which is another, more politically correct way, of stating that none of the Panthers was even remotely interested in attending the hot-air affair. Either way, it all paid off. South was more than ready to go in the first game of the tournament, while Jefferson was still trying to digest its breakfast. THE EVER-CHANGING state tournament format will get a new look next year when only eight teams advance instead of the 16-team, five-day setting. While it may take some time getting used to the idea, which includes an extra playoff game at a school site to reach the final tournament, the downsized event should help the OSAA economically. A switch to MacArthur Court in Eugene might also provide a much-needed attendance boost, considering the central location. Although a final count for the tournament wasn’t available as of press time, it was believed to rival last year’s total of about 37,000 for the 14 sessions over five days. That estimate would put the 2003 tournament between 10,000 to 20,000 under the attendance figures reached in every tournament spanning the past 50 years. IN A DOWN SEASON for all-star seniors, next year should offer quite a treat considering the talent coming back outside the Rogue Valley, led by Redmond’s Maarty Leunen (6-9 post). Leunen showed the kind of all-around talent that has Pac-10 Conference scouts drooling, and will be the state’s top recruit this summer. Also returning for senior seasons next year will be Sunset’s Sam Rayburn (6-10) and Josh Jackson (6-0), Hillsboro dynamo James Loe (5-11) and South Salem’s Jeremiah Dominguez (5-6). Of the younger set who will be juniors next year, Lincoln point guard Omar Leary (5-10) leads the pack and will be joined by teammate LaTravis Turner (6-4). Others to watch will be McNary’s Malik Parker-Hill (6-4) and Marty’s brother Matt Leunen (6-5) for Redmond. Another interesting development will take place at Jesuit, where the Tarver brothers of Josh (6-1, sophomore), Seth (6-4, freshman) and Zach (6-5, junior) have one last season together. Buoyed by the trio, the Crusaders came within one win of the championship final. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S