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Click Here 40 °F Forecast | Road Cams Friday, January 30, 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 18, 2003 Crater makes things interesting for South After trailing big early to the sixth-ranked Panthers, the Comets’ late rally comes up short in the end By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — It’s not often that two teams can claim victory following a boys basketball game, but that was exactly the case after Friday’s matchup between sixth-ranked South Medford and Crater. While the Panthers once again did just enough to score the only victory that truly matters — a 59-48 triumph at Crater High — the Comets chalked up a win of sorts of their own, albeit one of a moral variety. "We took a lot of steps as a team tonight," said Crater senior Andrew Norum. "This is a really big confidence-builder for us because South’s a really good team. To be able to hang with them like we did, that just shows us how good we can be." South improved to 12-1 overall and 4-0 in Southern Oregon Conference play with the victory, running the Panthers’ conference winning streak to 24 straight games dating back to 2001. Crater dropped to 5-9 overall and 1-3 in the SOC. "We’re much better than our record, but we need to put together a couple wins so the kids will believe it even more," said Crater coach Matt Meunier. South Medford’s Craig Johnson scored a game-high 15 points and pulled down six rebounds, while Eric Fischer had 11 points and six rebounds to lead the Panthers. Norum and junior teammate Jay Slezak paced Crater with 14 points apiece. The final outcome for South Medford was never seriously in doubt, although Crater was able to clip a 19-point, third-quarter deficit to only eight with five minutes to play. "None of the teams we play are going to quit, and Crater typified that tonight," said South coach Dennis Murphy. The Comets’ hope for an upset rimmed out with Colin Schoonover’s 3-point attempt moments later, with the miss seemingly deflating a Crater squad that had worked so hard to rally. "It took a lot of energy to make that run and cut it down to eight," said Meunier. "And when we missed that 3-pointer, I think it kinda took the wind out of our sails a little bit." South’s failure to capitalize breathed a hint of new life into the Comets as Norum sank two free throws to make it 48-42 with three minutes to play, but the Panthers’ true nature squashed any hope of an upset. South junior Andy Hagert broke free on a backdoor cut for a layup. Then Spencer Hunter’s steal set up another Panther score, this one a three-point play on a layup in the paint by Eric Fischer and an ensuing free throw that made it 53-42 with 2:13 on the clock. Two more free throws by Norum and a steal and basket by Crater freshman Austin Wiersma made it 53-46, but Fischer and crew were undaunted in closing out the Comets. "Those South kids are very calm, and they’re not going to give anything away," said Meunier. "You’re going to have to break them; they’re not going to break themselves." The only thing that appeared destined to be broken early in the game was Crater’s spirit, with South streaking to a 19-6, first-quarter lead over the awestruck Comets. The Panthers’ exasperating defense, combined with an inexperienced Crater backcourt, kept the Comets from mounting much of an attack. "We came out really timid and really scared," said Norum, the only true varsity returner for Crater. "They had a really good extended defense, and that just created a lot of problems and turnovers for us." Causing the most disruption was the never-ending jungle of gangly Panther arms swarming all over the court. The average height for a South player is 6-foot-2, with an even more impressive wingspan. "Their wingspan is huge," Meunier said. "That was a big difference. They just took away the passing lanes with their long arms." While the Comets certainly deserve credit for remaining positive despite the early deficit, South took its share of the blame in making the game closer than it appeared destined to be. "In the second half we had a little letdown, but we came back and finished it off," said Johnson, who was given his first start of the SOC season over a flu-ridden Boomer Marshall. "We’re struggling with closing teams out right now. Once we have a lead, it seems like we feel that that’s enough and we’re just going to win anyway. "Maybe we need to put a different name on the other team. Instead of Crater, it’s got to be Jefferson or Jesuit or Grants Pass so we’re forced to play hard and to our potential instead of getting bogged down." Murphy has an even simpler solution. "We’ve got to be able to recognize what they’re giving us, and we did a poor job of that tonight," said the coach. "Where the openings were after they packed (the defense) in wasn’t where we wanted to go, and we just made some poor decisions from there." Either way, the Panthers have a week to fine-tune their game because the SOC has Tuesday off. South Medford next takes to the court Friday at Eagle Point (7-7, 0-4 SOC), while Crater will play host to Ashland (8-6, 1-3). SOUTH MEDFORD (59) — Johnson 15, Fischer 11, Marshall 8, Fiegi 6, Hagert 6, Frantz 5, Hunter 3, Roberts 3, Benson 2, Berkey 0, Meyerding 0. Totals: 22-42 12-14 59. CRATER (48) — Norum 14, Slezak 14, Wiersma 11, Sesock 4, Schoonover 3, Tate 2, Bogle 0. Totals: 17-40 10-14 48. South Medford..........................19 13 16 11 — 59 Crater..........................................6 12 13 17 — 48 3-point goals — South Medford 3-9 (Frantz 1, Hunter 1, Roberts 1), Crater 4-13 (Wiersma 2, Slezak 1, Schoonover 1). Fouled out — Fischer. JV score — South Medford 57, Crater 42. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, 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