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Meyerding becomes shooting star By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN When he played for South Medford High School's boys basketball team in 1995 and '96, Todd Meyerding was known as a role player. He was extremely athletic -- quickness and impressive jumping ability made him a tough defender -- but he wasn't an outside shooter of note. Those chores were primarily left to all-state shooting guard Mike Vanderhoff and point guard James Wightman of the Panthers. Meyerding's job was to get the ball to the shooters, play solid defense, crash the boards and take an occasional shot. But things have changed for the 6-foot-1, 175-pound Meyerding. He has become a nationally prominent shooting guard as a senior for the Lewis & Clark College Pioneers. Meyerding, 21, has found his niche with the Pioneers after struggling to find himself as a wing player for Seattle Pacific University three years ago and for Linfield College two years ago. But Meyerding found Lewis & Clark -- and coach Bob Gaillard's program -- to his liking in time to rescue his college career. "I needed a system where I had some freedom and a coach who gave me confidence to do what I can do," says Meyerding. "Coach Gaillard has given me that." The results have been impressive. Entering the week, Meyerding was ranked fourth in the NAIA in shooting at 63 percent (79-for-125) and third in 3-point shooting at 54 percent (23-for-43). He also leads the Pioneers in assists (45) and steals (28). Meyerding is averaging 17.8 points per game and starting at one of three guard positions for Gaillard. "Things have changed quite a bit for me," admits Meyerding, who thrives in the free-wheeling offense. "The main thing is that I take good shots," says Meyerding. "In our offense, I'm usually open because we have some other good shooters to keep a defense honest. "When I shoot, I think I'm going to make all of them." Meyerding admits he gets a thrill out of making 3-point shots in big moments of games. He's energized by loud crowds, and he says his ultimate thrill remains to drive to the basket and slam home a dunk. "I'm always looking for a chance to make a move and drive for a dunk," says Meyerding. "That's my favorite thing to do. "If I can get a guy up on me tight, I'll try to make a move and drive past him. If he backs off, I'll look for the outside shot, or make a pass to an open man. But I'd rather drive." Gaillard says Meyerding is an undersized wing who can use his quick first step to make a drive past his man and then rely on his jumping ability to soar to the basket. Meyerding says he would prefer to dunk the ball over laying it in. "I like dunking out of the half-court offense," he says. "I'm strong enough and confident to do it." Meyerding says he's made eight dunks this year. But his outside shooting remains his biggest contribution to the Pioneers (9-5, 4-1 Northwest Conference). "I've become a lot more confident as a shooter," he says. "I've shot thousands of shots by now. And it comes down to how much confidence I feel more than practicing my shot at this point." Gaillard, a former successful coach at the University of San Francisco, says Meyerding works hard and competes. "I love Todd Meyerding. He's the epitome of what athletics is all about," says Gaillard. "He's an intense, competitive player and he doesn't know anything but 100 percent. "He's getting his share of real good shots, and I think he's comfortable and confident to take them. There is no fear there for him. He knows if he misses a couple of shots, he won't come out of the game. "It's like he's been freed up," says Gaillard. "He's like a thoroughbred who has been let loose." Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, OR U.S.A.