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0 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 Absenteeism in Oregon schools prompts bill that would tie funding to attendance, not enrollment Medford police arrest gang member and his brother after short chase Territorial Seed contribution a boost for SOU food program DEA seeks to seize houses in multistate pot trafficking operation Man sentenced for shooting cat with arrow Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Medford police arrest gang member and his brother after short chase DEA seeks to seize houses in multistate pot trafficking operation Man sentenced for shooting cat with arrow Emergency services, Feb. 25 Two dogs perish in east Medford house fire 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 Absenteeism in Oregon schools prompts bill that would tie funding to attendance, not enrollment Territorial Seed contribution a boost for SOU food program 200-plus Jackson County students miss vaccination deadline Medford, Ashland districts fall short of anti-bullying standards Grace to assume school governance 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 Judge: Oracle must host Oregon's Medicaid system Oregon Coast fish could be from Japanese tsunami Number of Oregon wolves increases Oregon seeks court order to maintain Oracle's Medicaid-hosting contract Oregon legislature mulls improvements to state ethics, public records law Nation - World Obituaries Elaine C. Chase Eunice Sleppy Death Notices "Billy" Geyer Gregory Paul Harlow Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Bank of America is predicting a massive Tesla collapse 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 Stepping Up South Medford girls perfect, again Huge rally lifts North over Roseburg Curry comes back strong to lead Warriors Raiders cruise into conference semifinals Varsity 541 College Sports Raiders cruise into conference semifinals Villanova earns share of title Ducks back in position for a tourney berth Winding Down No. 8 Kansas victimized by K-State comeback Pro Sports Curry comes back strong to lead Warriors Harden's triple-double boosts Rockets Playoffs could use overhaul A-Rod back, but avoids PED specifics Grizzlies overcome deficit to beat Blazers Community Sports Business Latest Stories Lithia Motors scores record revenue, net earnings in 4Q and 2014 Bad fourth quarter leads to 2014 loss for Erickson Avista's 4Q earnings of $32.2 million fall short of expectations Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action 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 People in Business Transportation Lodging gains bode well for travel industries Medford airport flies past January record Agriculture Warm winter has fruit growers poised for action 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 Landgren cartoon: Mall terror threat Michelle Teheux: Will we keep heading down the wrong path? Letters to the Editor, Feb. 25 Our View: Adjusting for unintended consequences Kathleen Parker: Twitter as America's conscience Editorials Our View: Adjusting for unintended consequences Our View: Homeless food proposal is the best solution yet Our View: Smell of trouble may spark marijuana limits Voter bill secures a fundamental right Our view: Will Brown reach out to rural Oregon? Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 25 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 24 Feb. 23: Letters to the editor Feb. 22: Letters to the editor Feb. 20: Letters to the editor Columns Michelle Teheux: Will we keep heading down the wrong path? Kathleen Parker: Twitter as America's conscience Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding Parker: Cable news twists the 'war on Islam' Independent Party focuses on the public interest Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Bill would shore up legal aid funding 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 Lifestyle Latest stories Prudence Hilburn: Chocolate wins favor among fans of many flavors Easter Island — more than just giant heads 5 Things to Do This Weekend (Feb. 27-March 1) Lost in Suburbia: Ode to Spring (with apologies to Edgar Allan Poe) Specialty painting adds wow to your walls Food Prudence Hilburn: Chocolate wins favor among fans of many flavors Maple: It's not just for syrup A lesson in patience off Old Jacksonville Highway Community blog: Clean anything with lemons, baking soda, vinegar Food for Thought: Feed your creativity with Havarti Home and Garden Specialty painting adds wow to your walls Dear Monty: Home seller questions agent ethics Home Help: Low-maintenance landscaping ideas Garden Cameos: Winter is the time to prune How to install energy-efficient windows the right way 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 An all-new Rising Stars music competition kicks off this weekend Ronny Cox plays the Unitarian Fellowship SOU presents 'She Stoops to Conquer' Live Music in Local Clubs OSF kicks off its 2015 season 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 An all-new Rising Stars music competition kicks off this weekend Ronny Cox plays the Unitarian Fellowship Professor Gall plays Oberon's Tavern Live Music in Local Clubs The music that made Paris famous 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 Judge: Oracle must host Oregon's Medicaid system ... Medford police arrest gang member and his brother after short chase ... DEA seeks to seize houses in multistate pot trafficking operation ... Judge: Oracle must host Oregon's Medicaid system ... Medford police arrest gang member and his brother after short chase ... DEA seeks to seize houses in multistate pot trafficking operation ... MEN'S BASKETBALL Winding Down Thompson's unique odyssey nears end as SOU hosts playoff tonight Comment By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 24, 2015 at 7:21 PM By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 24, 2015 at 7:21 PM » Social News ASHLAND — Eric Thompson’s eight-year journey from Roseburg High School to a career as a middle school teacher — a zigzag marathon that’s included four years in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, a triumphant return to organized basketball, marriage and the birth of his son — is about to come to an end. And while the senior forward would love to have one more crack at the NAIA Division II national tournament — an opportunity that’s almost certainly riding on the Raiders’ performance in the upcoming Cascade Conference tournament — he’s not afraid to admit that he’s looking forward to moving on. “Honestly, as sad as I’ll be to miss all the sports stuff,” he said, “I’m that much more excited to start my teaching career and spend more time with my family, and do something that feels a little more noble, in a sense.” For Thompson, the “sports stuff” has been all consuming for nearly a decade. First recruited by SOU head coach Brian McDermott as a high school senior in 2006, Thompson instead decided to embark on a career in baseball as a pitcher after the Dodgers drafted him in the 23rd round. Thompson, who’s listed at 6-foot-7, was no slouch in the minors — he threw a mean fastball that topped out at 94 mph and had a serious shot at making the big leagues after being assigned to the Dodgers’ AAA club, the Albuquerque Isotopes. But an injury to his rotator cuff derailed his baseball career and he ended up back at Southern Oregon in 2011 as a 23-year-old freshmen. Now 26, Thompson is putting the finishing touches on one of the best four-year runs in program history. He became the Raiders’ all-time leading scorer during their fifth game of the season and has only added to his impressive numbers since while averaging 19.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. McDermott calls Thompson the second-best offensive player he’s coached in his 35 years on the sideline. It’s easy to see why. Blessed with a cotton ball-soft jump shot that contradicts his chiseled 235-pound frame, an almost unblockable fadeaway and some nifty post moves, Thompson has been a nightmare for opposing defenses since returning to the basketball court. “You can get baskets from him that you could never get from any other player,” McDermott said of Thompson's versatility. “It’s so unique in that way. There are just easy things that come from him that we don’t have to game plan for.” Thompson provided a perfect visual of McDermott’s assessment Saturday against 11th-ranked Concordia, when the CCC’s preseason player of the year hit 13 of 21 shots, including 6 of 10 3-pointers, to score 33 points in 35 minutes. Thompson is shooting 51 percent overall and 45 percent from long range this season. It wasn’t enough, however. Concordia fought back from a nine-point deficit in the second half to hand the 19th-ranked Raiders (22-8) their second home loss of the weekend. Now, fourth-seeded SOU will host fifth-seeded Northwest Christian in the first round of the CCC tournament at 7 tonight at Bob Riehm Arena. No matter what happens, Thompson feels satisfied with what he’s accomplished in his time in Ashland, which included a trip to Point Lookout, Mo., for the national tournament as a sophomore in 2013. “I think it’s a little different for me because I’ve had four years of baseball and now four years of basketball, and I’ve had so much fun in both careers that I don’t have any regrets,” he said. “I’ve taken so much from both of them, I’m not going to have that sad period. I’m at peace with so much of what I’ve done in sports.” Thompson’s accomplishments go beyond sports. He’s been named a Capital One Academic All-District 4 all-star, and of the 20 honorees, Thompson and teammate Tim Weber were the only recipients currently in graduate programs. Thompson completed his undergraduate work in three years with a 3.57 grade-point average and is closing in on earning a masters degree from SOU’s strenuous education program. To hear Thompson run down his typical daily schedule is to know the meaning of the term “full slate.” He usually wakes up at 6 a.m., arrives at McLoughlin Middle School in Medford for his four-hour student-teacher work at 7:15 a.m., then hustles back to Ashland for about six hours of classes. On the “easy days,” he practices from 4-6:30 p.m. “Every day is a 10- to 12-hour day,” he said. And that’s not counting family time, of which there isn’t much. Still, his wife Molly and 9-month-old son Asher get to see Thompson at night, a squeezed-in time slot which has to suffice for now. The fact that his course work interferes with basketball is unavoidable, but Thompson says one of his greatest challenges isn’t necessarily that he can only practice with the team twice a week — it’s that when he does practice, he does so carrying the weight of multiple responsibilities, all of which require a certain amount of mental attention. “I think because throughout the day I have so much going on, thinking about school and family, that sometimes I don’t always do the best job bringing energy and a ton of focus,” he said. “Sometimes, my mind is going in five different directions and coach Mac has to repeat things to me five times. Sometimes I’m over stimulated and sometimes I’m just low on sleep. I still try and show up for the team as much as I can in that way, but I’m learning as I go. It’s a one day at a time thing.” McDermott says it’s been a challenge dealing with so many player absences from both Thompson and Weber, but is impressed with what they’ve been able to accomplish in four years at SOU. Besides, he said, his relationship with his players will go on long after they leave the program. “(Thompson’s) obviously a great guy — one of the sweetest guys you’ll ever meet,” McDermott said. “That’s the first thing I’ll remember. He’ll be a friend for life. And the other thing is, he’s just more mature (than most college players). He’s made strides in some things, but he came to us as a man and you just don’t get that all the time.” By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Joe Zavala for the Mail Tribune Posted Feb. 24, 2015 at 7:21 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » 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 Rams Stars Feb. 24, 2015 at 11:29 pm 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 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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