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Commentary North Medford boys looking to future after state tourney showing By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN North Medford High's basketball team learned a painful lesson about playing with the big boys this week in the Class 4A state tournament at Portland's Memorial Coliseum. The Black Tornado, undersized and overmatched inside, was swept out of the tournament in two games after losing to seventh-ranked North Salem (60-57) Tuesday and to top-ranked South Eugene (62-55) Wednesday. With its biggest starter, 6-foot-4 senior Travis Hinkle, competing against bigger post players in both games, North's interior defense was exploited by the Vikings and the Axemen. The result was a quick exit, the fourth straight time the Tornado has made the final 16, only to lose its opening game. The pattern started in 1989, when the top-rated Tornado was upset by North Eugene in a slow-down game. In 1992, the second-ranked Tornado fell to Tigard in double-overtime. In 1993, top-ranked North was sent to the consolation bracket with a loss to Churchill. Although North's recent loss to North Salem was not considered an upset, it adds to what has become a stigma that Tornado boys basketball has had to deal with: sending quality teams to Portland and having them bumped off. First-year North coach Gene Quilhaugh fell into the trend, even though he had the Tornado overachieving all season. It won the Southern Oregon Conference title when a fourth-place finish was predicted by league coaches. Even with two straight losses at state, Quilhaugh had his team playing well and certainly with enough aggression and confidence to have a chance to win in both games. If North Medford is going to return to the tournament next year, it looks like it will have to deal with another size disadvantage. And lack of height could be even more pronounced than it was this season, barring a growth spurt by a young kid or two. It looks like 6-2 junior Tate Mellbye may have to carry the load in the post or perhaps as a slashing forward. "I told coach that I would be ready to play both positions (post and forward) next year," said Mellbye, after scoring six points against South Eugene. "I don't mind playing post, if they need me there. Otherwise, I might be better off playing forward." Mellbye's best chance of playing collegiate sports might be in football, where he's a safety and wide receiver. Basketball, he says, has "always been my best sport. But a 6-2 post man in college isn't very realistic." Mellbye played 17 minutes in the two state tournament games. That experience should prove valuable next year as he assumes leadership responsibilities along with guards Charlie Jensen and Wes Towne. North might also call on 6-3 Casey Casebier, who will be a senior next year, to help in the middle. Or, there is Travis Poulton, a fast-growing 6-3 freshman who, at 16, is strong and athletic. Quilhaugh would rather not play sophomores because many of them aren't ready to play the intense, man-to-man defense he requires. But if that's what it takes for a return trip here and the possibility of changing that first-round trend, he won't hesitate. (Randy Hammericksen is the Mail Tribune's sports columnist. He can be reached at 776-4499.) Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.