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Talented South Eugene tops Panthers By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN The Pistol shot down South Medford's Panthers with pinpoint accuracy on Friday night. South Eugene High junior point guard Blake Stepp fired in 25 points and dished off 14 assists to lead the Axemen to an 84-48 romp over South Medford in the Panthers' gym. Stepp -- son of South Eugene coach Dean Stepp -- triggered a torrid fast break that paced the second-ranked Axemen to 11 transition layups. He added three of South Eugene's five 3-point field goals, as the Axemen cruised to their second win in as many starts. South Medford fell to 1-2. South Eugene shot a scalding 67 percent from the field, making 33 of 49 shots. South Medford contributed to South Eugene's transition game by failing to get back on defense fast enough and by allowing the Axemen to fire up unchallenged 3-point shots. "I took a timeout at one point and I told the kids if we don't get back on defense pretty soon, it will be just a layup drill for them," said South Medford coach Dennis Murphy, who's unaccustomed to blowout losses. "It's been a while, maybe my first year (1989), since we got beat this badly," said Murphy. "I didn't like it. I just don't like to lose at all. "We have to work harder and play with more heart. That's what it's going to take for us to get better." South Eugene ran and shot its way to a 30-10 lead after one quarter and a 45-19 advantage at halftime. Stepp scored 17 points in the first half. Meanwhile, 6-8 senior center Mike Roberts, who has signed a letter intent to play for Indiana after spending next season in a prep school back east, added 15 points and nine rebounds. He scored almost at will under the basket when the Axemen needed him. But they barely needed him at all this night. "This is a great team," said Dean Stepp, who has coached two South Eugene teams into the semifinals of the Class 4A state tournament in 24 years at South Eugene. "This one could approach those teams." Blake Stepp, a 6-4 junior, is being recruited by several Division I schools, according to his father. Former South Eugene point guard Blake Pengale, now playing point guard for Washington State, nicknamed Stepp Pistol, in reference to former Louisiana State University and NBA star Pete Maravich. "He named him that about four years ago because Blake was always dribbling the ball when he watched our practices," said Dean Stepp. "It (the name) stuck. Murphy agreed with Dean Stepp's assessment of the son of the South Eugene coach. "He sees the floor so well," said Murphy. "But he can also score. He's a complete player. "I think our kids were intimidated by a team with two Division I players on it," said Murphy. "We have to learn to challenge people, no matter how good they are. This is not acceptable." Brian Hickey, a 6-4 junior wing, led South Medford with 16 points. Junior point guard Steve Hilgendorf scored nine points and had seven assists for the Panthers. Stepp scored two transition layups and hit a pair of 3-point bombs from the left wing during the opening 3 minutes. He had 12 points during that span. The Axemen led 16-1 and the outcome was decided. It was a matter of South Eugene working on its pressure defense and transition game and South Medford trying to pick up the pieces. The Panthers play host to North Eugene and the Axemen play at North Medford today. Both games tip-off at 1:30 p.m. SOUTH EUGENE (84) -- Stepp 25, Shockley 2, Long 12, Mold 2, Bunkingham, White, Palphrey 4, Roberts 15, Ritchie 8, Scarola 2, McCarthy 14. Totals: 33-49 13-15. SOUTH MEDFORD (48) -- Tomlins, Hickey 16, Hilgendorf 9, Heil, McKay 6, Rasmussen 2, Wallenburg 4, Foster 5, Decker 6. Totals: 20-62 6-11 48. South Eugene ..................30 15 21 18 -- 84 South Medford ....................10 9 17 12 -- 48 3-point goals: South Eugene 5-11 (Stepp 3, Long 2. South Medford 2-10 (Hillgendorf 1, McKay 1.) JV game : South Eugene won. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford,