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Grant propels Panthers in victory Photo by Drew Fleming Lynn Wooton, left, of South Medford works past Roseburg's Shannon Burmeister. By DAVID DAUGHERTY for the Mail Tribune The point guard position is probably the most demanding and tiresome in basketball, and South Medford sophomore Whitney Grant has gotten a baptism by fire this season for the Panthers. Grant has taken her share of lumps running the show for South, but on Friday night, a season of hard work reaped huge dividends. Grant's timely offense and tenacious, in-your-face defense helped the Panthers roar to a lopsided, 51-34 Southern Oregon Conference victory over visiting Roseburg. The victory improved the Panthers to 5-4 in league play and moved them one step closer to their first state playoff berth since 1994. The Indians fell to 3-6 in league. "She (Grant) was a huge spark for us tonight," said South coach Andrea Wegner. "She's really maturing quickly, and I'm really proud of her." It didn't take Grant and her Panther teammates long to set the game's tempo. Right from the opening tip, the sophomore harassed and harried Roseburg junior point guard Erin Goodell, forcing three quick steals that led to uncontested layins and a 9-2 Panther lead. South Medford's Kellie Thomas (35) launches a shot. Grant finished the contest with five steals and 13 points. "I just wanted to play good and fire up the team," said Grant. "I was just aggressive and ready to step up." Spurred by Grant, the Panthers bursted to a 13-2 lead at the end of the first period and a 25-12 halftime advantage, while the Indians appeared to be running in quicksand. "That's the way we've played the last four games," said Roseburg coach John Thomas, whose team shot a dismal 5 of 17 in the first half and 13 of 39 for the night. "We're not hitting on all cylinders. "(South's) starting five is very athletic. They just outquicked us." Part of the Indians' problem could be attributed to inexperience. Thomas' starting lineup consisted of three sophomores, one junior and one freshman. That aspect, coupled with a South team bent on redeeming itself from an early season road loss to Roseburg, was a deadly combination. "We came out really strong tonight and wanted to make a point to them about how much better we are," said Grant. "Once we realized we could push it up the floor on them we knew we had them." "This was the best defensive effort we've had all season," said Wegner, whose team corralled 22 steals and forced 26 turnovers. "We aren't the same team we were up their earlier in the season." In the third quarter, the Panther defense was like a school of sharks sensing blood. It forced 10 Roseburg turnovers in outscoring the Indians 19-10. Senior post Lynn Wooten fueled the run with eight of her game-high 14 points as the Panthers shot 8 of 14 in the period and 47 percent on the night (20 of 43). Grant added insult to injury at the end of the third period, burying a shot at the buzzer while being fouled and converting her free throw for a backbreaking three-point play. "Tonight's win was huge for us," said Grant. "We had to win to keep our playoff hopes alive." The playoffs now appear to be a reachable goal for South. After next Tuesday's game at rival North Medford, the Panthers will play three of their last four league contests at home. "The girls know they control their own destiny and are working hard toward that," said Wegner. "Making the playoffs was their goal from the start, and we still can reach it. All they have to do is go get it." South junior Kellie Thomas was also a thorn in the Indians' side on Friday, swiping five steals and tallying eight points. Roseburg was led by Shannon Burmeister's seven points. ROSEBURG (34) -- Makinson 4, Goodell 3, Thomason 1, O'Byrne 2, Bradburn 4, Heard 6, Bartholomew 0, Burmeister 7, Hansen 3, Fisiikava 4, Gilding 0, Lint 0. Totals: 13-39 7-10 34. SOUTH MEDFORD (51) -- Grant 13, Salisbury 0, Hunt 3, Fossen 7, Wooten 14, Adams 0, Thomas 8, Zenz 4, Mueller 2, Wright 0. Totals: 20-43 10-16 51. Roseburg ...................2 10 10 12 -- 34 South Medford ...........13 12 19 7 -- 51 3-point goals -- Roseburg 1-4 (Goodell 1-1, Heard 0-2, Lint 0-1), South Medford 1-2 (Grant 0-1, Fossen 1-1). JV score -- South Medford 46, Roseburg 39. Today's Edition : News | Sports | Business | Weather | Tempo | Classifieds Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA