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33 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, February 12, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend January 23, 2004 Mr. Consistency Cascade Christian’s Isaac Hoffman is averaging 21 points per game for the Challengers By DON HUNT Mail Tribune Isaac Hoffman didn’t expect to instantly become Cascade Christian High’s dominant scorer when he joined the team last November. But the 6-foot-4 senior post erupted for 18 points in the Challengers’ season-opening game against Santiam Christian on Dec. 4, and he’s been Mr. Consistency ever since. "He can score almost every time he has the ball if he gets it in the right spot," Cascade Christian coach Brian Morse says. Hoffman, who transferred from South Medford at the beginning of the school year, has been in double figures all 12 games he’s been in a Cascade Christian uniform and is averaging 21 per game. His high game was a 35-point outburst (on 17 of 21 shooting) in a 63-44 Challengers’ victory over Illinois Valley on Dec. 13. Advertisement Hoffman is also shooting a sizzling 62 percent from the field and 78 percent from the free-throw line, and is collecting 7.9 rebounds per contest. "We really haven’t had a legitimate post player since Marty Maurer graduated in 1997," Morse says. "What a luxury it is to have someone like Isaac." Hoffman attended Cascade Christian’s feeder school — Grace Christian — through the eighth grade and therefore was familiar with many of his current teammates, especially fellow seniors Brandon Fair and Ben Kinney. Still, he didn’t expect to heat up the nets the way he has. "I came here with an open mind but also with the realization I was the new guy in the program," Hoffman says. "But the other guys have been great about getting me the ball. Everyone is so unselfish." Particularly Fair, the Challengers’ point guard who’s averaging eight assists per game, the majority of which connect through Hoffman. On the night Hoffman produced 35 points, Fair finessed his way to 16 assists. "I was studying the ratio the other day and Fair is averaging 5.5 assists per game just to Hoffman," Morse says. "That’s an amazing statistic." Adds Hoffman: "There are times on the fastbreak when I don’t think I’m open, but all of a sudden the ball’s in my hands and I’m going to the basket. Brandon’s a great passer." Hoffman’s signature shot is the medium-range jumper, but he’s also accomplished at driving to the basket and he’s not afraid to post up. "He’s kind of a handful for whoever guards him," Morse says. "And unlike some post players, Isaac has great hands. He catches almost every pass, even the bad ones." About the only time Hoffman fails to find the twine is when he’s in foul trouble. That bugaboo doesn’t haunt him as often as it once did, but he’s fouled out of four games this season and finished with four on a few other occasions. "He’s had a bad habit of committing what I call retaliation fouls — reaching in or going over someone’s back after he misses a shot or thinks he gets fouled and nothing’s called," Morse says. "But he hasn’t done that for the past three games." And not surprisingly, the Challengers have won all three to improve their SCL record to 3-1 and their season slate to 5-7. Hoffman anticipates a formidable challenge at 8 tonight in the Superior Gym — Cascade’s home court — when he matches his slender frame against 6-5 Cole Lawrence of Bonanza. But then again, Cole figures to have some woes of his own defending the SCL’s hottest hand. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times