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Tornado ties down title with rout Nabs first SOC crown since '93 By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN North Medford High's boys basketball team put forth a typical team effort and celebrated a Southern Oregon Conference championship on Friday night. The Black Tornado got double-double performances from post players Tate Mellbye and Travis Hinkle on the way to a 65-34 decimation of Klamath Union in the North gym. Hinkle scored 11 points and pulled down 13 rebounds, and Mellbye had 10 points and 10 rebounds as the eighth-ranked Black Tornado ran its SOC record to 12-1 and its overall record to 17-4. The victory earned North its first SOC title since 1993 and qualifies the team to meet the Valley League champion on March 9 in the opening round of the Class 4A state tournament at Memorial Coliseum in Portland. North Salem currently has a one-game lead over Crescent Valley in the Valley League title chase. "I feel like the luckiest guy in the world," said North Medford coach Gene Quilhaugh. "I have some seniors who led the way, and we got good contributions from our juniors and sophomores. "When I came here, I knew we had a strong senior class. I knew they were athletic and physical kids. My concerns were their ball-handling and shooting abilities. We had to manufacture some points earlier, but we've turned into a pretty good-shooting team." Jeff Zimmer, the leader of North Medford's seniors, was limited to four points for the second straight game. But he dished off five assists and had four rebounds to lead the assault on the Pelicans. "It's about time," said Zimmer, in reference to winning the Southern Oregon Conference title. "North hasn't won the conference for a long time. "Our senior class has always been strong in basketball. We grew up thinking about winning this championship. It's very nice to have it all happen." North went on a 10-2 run in the first quarter to open an 18-9 lead after the opening eight minutes. Senior wing David Husel scored eight of his game-high 13 points in the opening quarter. Wing Jason Brownell added nine points for North and junior Wes Towne added seven. Led by Hinkle's inside play, the Black Tornado spurted to a 39-17 halftime lead and increased the advantage to 55-28 with 5:40 left in the game. North Medford closes out its regular season on Tuesday night against Crater in the North gym. KLAMATH UNION (34) --Axberg 11, Woodrum 6, Kellstrom 5, Mason 4, Bailey 4,Smith 2, Tyler Baker 2, Travis Baker 0, Caleb 0, Thomas 0. Totals: 11-40 9-12 34. NORTH MEDFORD (65) --Pickrel 2, Oliver 2, Mellbye 10, Casbier 2, Zimmer 4, Towne 7, Husel 13, Jensen 2, Brownell 9, Weyers 0, O'Brien 1, Hinkle 11, Jantzer 1, Olson 1. Totals: 23-58 16-27 65. Klamath Union ...............9 8 9 8 -- 34 North Medford .........18 21 10 16 -- 65 3-point goals -- North Medford 3 (Husel 2, Towne 1). Klamath Union 3 (Axberg 2, Woodrum 1.). JV score: North Medford won. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, OR U.S.A.