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CLEAR Temp: 48 °F Wind: SSW at 5 mph Wednesday, February 5, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend February 1, 2003 St. Mary’s keeps on rolling in SCL play By TIM PYLE Mail Tribune In name, the St. Mary’s boys basketball team is in the Southern Cascade League. In reality, the Crusaders are in a league of their own. A 72-43 pasting of Lost River at the St. Mary’s High gym Friday night marked the Crusaders’ 20th straight SCL victory, dating back to a 76-74, double-overtime loss at Gilchrist on Feb. 10, 2001. And, if anything, the two-time defending league champions are widening the rift between themselves and the rest of the league. Friday’s win was the second straight 29-point blowout for St. Mary’s, and the competition in that two-game stretch was the best the SCL has to offer the Crusaders (13-5, 8-0 SCL). Tuesday’s victim was rival Cascade Christian (7-1 SCL), 76-47, before the Pirates (5-3 SCL) took their turn at the whipping post Friday. For all intents and purposes, St. Mary’s, ranked sixth in the Class 2A coaches poll, is simply biding its time until the state tournament begins March 4 in Pendleton. After a semifinal run last year, the Crusaders appear primed to challenge for the state crown again. But that’s not something seventh-year head coach Tim Pflug wants to think about — yet. "After next week, and hopefully two more good games, I’ll feel a whole lot better looking ahead to state," said Pflug, whose squad concludes the regular season with games at Bonanza next Friday and home against Glendale next Saturday. "But I’m very pleased with everything right now." St. Mary’s was in control from the opening tip Friday, thanks in large part to senior Greg Gradwell, who was in a remarkable groove from the get-go. A 6-foot-3 wing, Gradwell scored the Crusaders’ first 10 points and had 18 by the time he missed his first shot midway through the second quarter. He connected on his initial seven field- goal attempts, three of which were 3-pointers, and drilled a free throw — all before misfiring even once. By night’s end, Gradwell had accumulated a career-high 27 points along with five assists, five steals and four rebounds. "I don’t think I’ve gotten close to 27 points before," said Gradwell, who ended up 10-of-13 from the field, 3-for-5 at the free-throw line and sank four 3s. "Usually, I try to pass it more than I do shoot. But they just kept going in." A reserve last season, Gradwell is one of four first-year starters — senior post Warren Cooper, junior guard Mike Staver and freshman point guard Austin Grant are the others — that have stepped up to surround star Michael Fiddler, a 6-7 senior center. "Greg has been my biggest surprise," Pflug said. "He’s a real vocal, rah-rah guy. It’s tough to take him out." St. Mary’s has learned how to make teams pay for focusing solely on Fiddler defensively, as Lost River did with a box-and-one zone that regularly placed a man both in front of and behind Fiddler. The Pirates’ scheme was effective in holding Fiddler to one real shot and a tip try in the first half, when his only points were two free throws. But, by the same token, Gradwell shredded the pack-it-in plan by erupting for 21 to power the Crusaders to a 32-18 halftime edge. "Most teams, whenever they go zone, they pretty much just pack in around Fiddler," Gradwell said. "That means the rest of us have to step up. And right now, everyone’s really playing well. "Once they go to man, it’s all over with Fiddler in there." Indeed, Fiddler took advantage of more room to operate in the second half, tallying 16 of his 18 points. He also blocked eight shots, grabbed eight rebounds and dished three assists overall. "It gets old after awhile," Fiddler, a two-time first-team all-SCL performer and a first-team all-state selection last year, said of being the constant focus of opposing defenses. "But it ends up leaving other guys open, and they’re delivering. ... It’s OK with me if we keep winning like we have been." Cooper was the third St. Mary’s player in double figures, scoring 12 points and securing four of his five rebounds at the offensive end. For Lost River, senior post Brad Johnson contributed 14 points, five rebounds and good, physical defense on Fiddler, while senior guard Randy Woodley chipped in 13 points. But really, the outcome was never in doubt, as the closest the Pirates crept after 12-9 in the first quarter was 36-28 midway through the third. The Crusaders promptly dropped the hammer with a 22-5 run. "I’m liking our chances toward the end of the year," Fiddler said. "I don’t see anybody stopping us in league. ... I think it’s just a question of whether we can put it all together for the playoffs and the state tournament." LOST RIVER (43) — Donahoe 4, Ross 6, Johnson 14, Baker 4, Woodley 13, Beasly 0, Chin 0, Dale 2, Crawford 0. Totals: 16-45 10-19 43. ST. MARY’S (72) — Gradwell 27, Cooper 12, Fiddler 18, Staver 5, A. Grant 6, C. Grant 2, Kulig 0, Kaimie 2, Grene 0, Bladek 0. Totals: 25-57 14-18 72. Lost River ................................. 9 9 15 10 — 43 St. Mary’s ............................. 16 16 21 19 — 72 3-point goals — Lost River 1 (Woodley 1), St. Mary’s 8 (Gradwell 4, A. Grant 2, Fiddler 1, Staver 1). Fouled out — Johnson. Technical fouls — Lost River coach Baker. JV result — St. Mary’s 37, Lost River 33. Reach reporter Tim Pyle at 776-4483 or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search M Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy web master feedback A D V E R T I S E R S