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Fast start boosts South into title game By DAVE DAUGHERTY The South Medford boys basketball team struck early, often and with little resistance in a high-flying first quarter. Eventually, the Panthers rolled up a 66-50 semifinal victory over Century High of Beaverton in the ninth annual Abby's Legendary Pizza Holiday Basketball Tournament Tuesday at South Medford High. The victory earns the Panthers (5-4) a date in tonight's 7:45 championship tilt against a McMinnville team that spoiled hopes of a North Medford-South Medford final. Against Century, South jumped to leads of 13-0 and, at the end of the first quarter, 23-6. The Panthers shot 8-of-9 and the Jaguars didn't know what hit them. "The quick start was the key," said South point guard Steve Hilgendorf. Hilgendorf's 19 points led all scorers. "It kind of surprised them," he said, "and I don't know if they thought they could catch up after that." The Panthers used a superior height advantage underneath with 6-foot-7 post Nick Decker, 6-4 post Graham Foster and 6-3 wing Colin Grant, plus an attacking defense, to reduce Century to rubble. "We wanted to prove something to everyone," said Grant. "We just need to keep up that kind of pace the entire game." "We knew we had height on them," said Hilgendorf. "They scored in the beginning, and it really opened things up for the rest of us later in the game. Grant was the weapon of choice early, spurring the South charge by scoring seven of his 11 points in the first half. "We just got into our transition game very well," said Grant, who also pulled down seven rebounds. "There were just easy shots for everyone." Century showed signs of life in the second quarter, cutting the halftime deficit to 34-22, thanks in part to a lull in the South attack. "I was really happy with the way we started things out," said South coach Dennis Murphy. "But we only played 10 hard minutes out of 16 in the first half." The Panthers left no doubt of the outcome in the third period behind Hilgendorf, who knocked down three of his five 3-pointers in the period. "I noticed after a couple of shots that I could score," said Hilgendorf, who also handed out six assists. "Even the ones I missed weren't off by much." Hilgendorf's long-range strikes were aided by the inside presence of Decker, who scored 11 points and grabbed eight rebounds. The Panthers connected on 25-of-46 shots from the field. "This is the best we've played this year in spurts because you have to be able to shoot," said Murphy. "Good basketball teams can't go through that many dry spells. We definitely improved from last night." The fourth quarter was one of those dry spells for the Panthers, as the Jaguars got as close as 62-47 thanks to 3-point bombs of their own. "We were very good for a while and not for others," said Murphy. "I guess that's what happens when you have young kids." Jim Sommers led Century, which shot a dismal 15-of-53 from the floor, with 10 points. CENTURY (50) -- Betz 4, Hepp 5, Sommers 10, Willis 7, Waller 3, McCain 5, McHill 1, Albertson 7, Bailey 1, Handyside 0, Shilliam 3, Keanaaina 3. Totals: 15-53 13-22 50. SOUTH MEDFORD (66) -- Tomlins 1, Hickey 8, Hilgendorf 19, McKay 0, Rasmussen 4, Wallenberg 2, Grant 11, Kime 4, Foster 6, Decker 11. Totals: 25-46 10-12 66. Century ...................................6 16 11 17 -- 50 South Medford ......................23 11 20 12 -- 66 3-point goals -- Century 6 (Betz 1, Sommers 2, Willis 1, Waller 1, Shilliam 1), South Medford 6 (Hilgendorf 5, Grant 1). Technical fouls -- South bench. CROOK COUNTY 63, WEST ALBANY 49 -- Ryan Roberts scored 23 points and Crook County outscored West Albany 15-3 in the final period to beat the Bulldogs going away. Ryan Roberts led West Albany in the consolation game of the tournament with 19 points. CROOK COUNTY (63) --Ditto 2, Inman 23, McCarthy 8, Abell 11, Moon 8, Pinkston 4, Huff 7, Sloper 0, Fitzpatrick 0, Wells 0. Totals: 23-52 13-19 63. WEST ALBANY (49) --Roberts 19, Wadlow 11, Plemmons 3, Meyers 2, Spady 5, Pendley 9, Koos 0, Graham 0, Brown 0. Totals: 18-42 10-17 49. Crook County .........................14 17 17 15 -- 63 West Albany ............................16 16 14 3 -- 49 3-point goals -- Crook County 2 (McCarthy 2), West Albany 3 (Plemmons 1, Roberts 2). Fouled out -- Abell, Roberts. Technical fouls -- Roberts, Huff. Today's Sports Index Mail Tribune Copyright� The Mail Tribune 1998, Medford,