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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Lost Creek Lake logjam could become hazard for boaters Gold Hill police levy discussions criticized Emergency Services, Feb. 23 Car crashes into new south Medford home Since You Asked: Bobby Seale's Ashland visit covered by BSU, Office of Diversity Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services, Feb. 23 Car crashes into new south Medford home Medford neighbors take up arms against a sea of graffiti Missing teen possibly seen in Florida Emergency services, Feb. 22 Politics and Elections Ballots on Jackson County marijuana tax go out Friday Brown's inauguration brings hope to local lawmakers Kate Brown sworn in as Oregon's 38th governor Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Education Grace to assume school governance AHS principal up for national award Today is exclusion day for kids who don't have required vaccines A question of punishment Logos to receive a slice of Wes Howard Memorial Sports Park Environment Lost Creek Lake logjam could become hazard for boaters Made in the Shade Controlled burn planned for Ashland watershed on Friday Coho salmon road trip Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow State News Brown says she'll preserve Oregon death penalty moratorium Tentative deal reached in West Coast port labor dispute State Senate votes to dissolve Cover Oregon Psychic gets 8 years for con of timber heir Economists project 'kicker' rebates Nation - World Obituaries Lois Gunsolus Wilson Donald Max Long Betty E. Schmidt Anne Brown Stewart Richard Nudelman, 70 years Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Mars One attracts science fiction geeks and people who hate society This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Grizzlies overcome deficit to beat Blazers Challengers, Crusaders rake in SCL awards Hahn wins Riviera after playoff Bubble Breaker? Wood sets franchise points record in win Varsity 541 College Sports Bubble Breaker? Beavers Pac-12 champs with win LOCAL REPORT Beavers wrap up road trip with win SOU lays claim to another regional title Pro Sports Grizzlies overcome deficit to beat Blazers Hahn wins Riviera after playoff Wood sets franchise points record in win Gordon, Pelicans down Heat Singler starts in debut with Thunder Community Sports Business Latest Stories Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 Learn about Oregon's local crowdfunding options Blog: Random Acts of Kindness Dockworkers dispute hits home Medford pharmacy sees steady growth Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul People In Business People in Business Transportation Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Briefcase: Business briefs for Feb. 21 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Feb. 23: Letters to the editor Parker: Cable news twists the 'war on Islam' Our View: Smell of trouble may spark marijuana limits Feb. 22: Letters to the editor Independent Party focuses on the public interest Editorials Our View: Smell of trouble may spark marijuana limits Voter bill secures a fundamental right Our view: Will Brown reach out to rural Oregon? Our view: Expulsions hurt students, district, community Our View: Independent Party of Oregon faces obstacles Letters to the Editor Feb. 23: Letters to the editor Feb. 22: Letters to the editor Feb. 20: Letters to the editor Feb. 19: Letters to the editor Letters to the editor, Feb. 18 Columns Parker: Cable news twists the 'war on Islam' Independent Party focuses on the public interest Milbank: Walker's cowardice on view in NY Will: Tweet this: Digital dialogue won't work 'Big' government is not so big after all Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Lifestyle Latest stories Home Help: Low-maintenance landscaping ideas Day Trippin': Mill Creek Falls easy to miss Community blog: And if I Die Before I Wake Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Organizing can wait for winter Food Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Fire and Smoke Tammy Kelly: Comfort food makes cold weather better Community blog: Citrus fruits shine in foods fresh and preserved Season Stepp: Cooking Chinese food should not intimidate you Home and Garden Home Help: Low-maintenance landscaping ideas Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune How to install energy-efficient windows the right way Dear Monty: Nine downsizing tips for seniors Carol Link: Prime time for pruning blueberries approaches Health Community blog: And if I Die Before I Wake Dr. Murray Feingold: Does a sedentary lifestyle make you prone to disease? Dr. Jeff Hersh: Breathe easy - all about lung function Health Watch: Health improvements you can make today that will pay off for a lifetime Runners’ Corner: Helpful winter running hints Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 20 Religion News: Pope makes surprise shantytown visit Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Milestones and Achievements Anniversary: Hofer New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' Live Music in Local Clubs OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Third Fridays showcases local artists Theater SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' 'The Glass Menagerie' is polished and professional OSF kicks off its 2015 season SOU presents 'The Glass Menagerie' Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' Music Professor Gall plays Oberon's Tavern Live Music in Local Clubs The music that made Paris famous Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug Southern Oregon Jazz Orchestra Community Events Third Fridays showcases local artists Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Dining Restaurant Inspections: Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 Saigon Xich Lo Vietnamese cuisine The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines/Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Gold Hill police levy discussions criticized ... Get Up & Go: Monday, Feb. 23 ... Car crashes into new south Medford home ... Gold Hill police levy discussions criticized ... Get Up & Go: Monday, Feb. 23 ... Car crashes into new south Medford home ... WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Right at home Smith, whose SOU career has been marked by stops and starts, and Raiders are on a roll By Dan Jones Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 22, 2015 @ 2:00 am By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 22, 2015 @ 2:00 am --> SOUTHERN OREGON 90, CONCORDIA 66 WHAT: Alexi Smith has a career-high 29 points and Kristen Schoenherr adds 18 points as eighth-ranked Southern Oregon wraps up the regular season and seals up ... » Read more X SOUTHERN OREGON 90, CONCORDIA 66 WHAT: Alexi Smith has a career-high 29 points and Kristen Schoenherr adds 18 points as eighth-ranked Southern Oregon wraps up the regular season and seals up the No. 2 seed in the Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament. UP NEXT: Tuesday, 7 p.m., College of Idaho at Southern Oregon. » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> ASHLAND — One year she was here, the next she was gone. Alexi Smith's journey toward stability at Southern Oregon University has been a biennial event, at times magical and at other times heartbreaking and confusing. The 6-foot senior forward twice left the university to return home to Bakersfield, Calif., and deal with personal matters during her collegiate basketball career. Raider head coach Lynn Kennedy has welcomed her services for three seasons, every other winter for the last five years, and speaks of Smith with a look of inspiration in his eyes. Perhaps a testament to her character or her ability, Smith has been able to make a lasting impact for SOU despite the rushed goodbyes, repeated hellos and circuitous paths connecting them. Mostly, her teammates and the coaching staff here wish they had more time with the skilled 23-year-old standout. "She deserves everything she gets," said teammate Kristen Schoenherr after the eighth-ranked Raiders' 90-66 victory over Concordia at Bob Riehm Arena on Saturday night. Smith erupted for a career-high 29 points with eight rebounds and three assists as SOU wrapped up the regular season and secured its eighth straight triumph. The Raiders (25-3, 15-3 Cascade Collegiate Conference) finished a game behind 17th-ranked Eastern Oregon University (24-5, 16-2) in the league race for first, but SOU still sealed up the No. 2 seed and homecourt advantage through the semifinal round of this week's conference tournament. The Raiders will host College of Idaho at 7 p.m. in Tuesday's quarterfinals. Smith, who originally transferred to SOU from Bakersfield College in 2010, has played an enormous role in her squad's success. This year she's averaged a team-best 13.6 points per game and 7.5 rebounds with 1.5 assists. Earlier this winter, Smith became the 15th player to join the program's 1,000-point club, doing it in spurts over three seasons. Smith ranks in the top 10 in both career points and rebounding. She looks back at the beginning of her basketball timeline and marvels that it has played out this way. Smith transferred from Bakersfield High to nearby Stockdale High for her senior season after her family bought a house in that district. At Stockdale she played with friend Melissa Sweat, an eventual NCAA Division I transfer who played at SOU briefly. Smith was a scoring threat and rebounding extraordinaire who competed for one season at Bakersfield College. The men's coach there, Rich Hughes, knows Kennedy well, and the two spoke of Smith. Kennedy was interested and she played out the 2010-11 season as a Raider. Then trouble back home struck. "It wasn't as serious (as a death in the family), but it was pretty close to it," Smith recalled. A year passed and she returned for the 2012-13 season, only to reverse back south to Bakersfield the next year. She coached the girls freshman-sophomore basketball team at Stockdale, all the while keeping tabs on the Raiders. Smith texted back and forth with Kennedy after the squad's win over EOU in the conference tournament, envious that she hadn't been part of such a key victory. And when the moment was right for her to return, the Smiths were ready. "When everything was straightened out, my family said you need to go back and do what you need to do," said Smith, who has nine siblings. Against Concordia (12-15, 6-12) on Saturday, Smith had 18 points by halftime using a dazzling array of spin moves, post-ups and jump shots. Schoenherr finished with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists and Ashley Claussen 14 points. "She is the type of player that if you need two points, she'll get you two points at any time," Kennedy said of Smith. Added Schoenherr: "She is amazing. We are all in awe of her and her ability to score with three defenders on her." When the contest ended, the crowd gave Smith and others a cheer of support as the seniors were honored. Her playing eligibility nearing its expiration, Smith plans to graduate with a teaching degree next year and go on to coach and teach. Smith said she’s been assured Stockdale has a spot on the varsity girls coaching staff with her name on it but, much like SOU has willingly done over the years, they’re going to have to wait for her services. Reach reporter Dan Jones at 541-776-4499, or email [email protected]. Find him online at twitter.com/danjonesmt By Dan Jones Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 22, 2015 @ 2:00 am » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football Fantasy Football Outlook for Browns Stars Feb. 19, 2015 at 6:32 pm 2015 Fantasy Football Outlook for Vikings Stars Feb. 13, 2015 at 6:47 am Fantasy Football Outlook for Jets Stars Feb. 7, 2015 at 4:30 am Super Bowl Fantasy Review and Highlights Feb. 2, 2015 at 10:00 am Top Fantasy Players, Projections for Patriots vs. Seahawks Jan. 31, 2015 at 8:39 am Fantasy Football Outlook for Titans Stars Jan. 30, 2015 at 10:37 am calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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