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Skyline conference is up for grabs By TED BURNHAM for the Mail Tribune With three new coaches and more new starters than returning players, the Skyline Conference boys basketball title appears up for grabs in 2002. New coaches at Phoenix, Hidden Valley and North Valley bring new blood to teams that finished last season in the middle of the pack. All three squads lost most of their 2001 varsity to graduation, but Phoenix and Hidden Valley gained good players from winning junior varsity teams. Last season, Hidden Valley went 9 5 and tied for third in the conference but did not advance to the 2001 state 3A tournament, losing to Illinois Valley in a qualifying game. Phoenix and North Valley struggled last season. Both ended the year with losing records and occupied the sixth and seventh places in the conference. If past seasons are an indication, the two Klamath Basin teams could be the ones to beat. Henley is seeking its fifth straight Skyline crown, but Mazama - with two of the best guards in the conference - may be the Hornets' strongest opponent. Conference runner up Illinois Valley - which advanced to the state tournament last season - and Rogue River - which returns all but one starter - are also teams to watch. Phoenix coach Kevin Dixon, a longtime North Medford High School teacher and former assistant basketball coach at Southern Oregon University, is excited about his opportunity to head a program. "I think we will be in contention for a playoff spot this season," says Dixon, who replaces interim coach Tom Murphy. Dixon inherits few players with varsity experience, but Phoenix was one of the Skyline's best JV teams last season. Junior post player Brady Rhodes is the top returner for the Pirates. He expects help inside from Meadow Lacy, a 6-5 soccer standout, and senior Ryan Howard. Two sophomores and two seniors round out the squad: underclassmen Brad Ellis and Martine Gonzalez and seniors Ricky Himenez and Travis Frohreich. Ellis may start as point guard and Gonzalez (5 8) plays off guard. Frohreich is athletic but unproven: He broke his arm as a sophomore and did not play last season; he returns after a two year absence. At Hidden Valley, Randy Kirkland takes over after three years as junior varsity coach at Phoenix. He replaces Bill Jiron and inherits a young Hidden Valley squad. The Mustangs finished the 2001 season with a 16 9 record overall Most of the 2001 team has graduated, but this year's Hidden Valley team will consist of some of the Skyline's best JV players from last year. Juniors Brock Richards (6 8) and Jeff Klug (6 6) are the tallest players in the conference and could dominate the post. They will be helped by returning starters Chris Jiron and Chris Cushman, both guards. Junior guard Cody Biller may be one of the top shooters in the Skyline and junior forward Robert Teson and senior Isaac Harrop, who is coming back from an injury, expect to see a lot of playing time. Unfortunately for new North Valley coach Martin Connelly, Southern Oregon's most successful prep football team held many of his players captive. The Knights made it to the quarterfinals in football and played their last game two days after Thanksgiving. Senior wing Derek Wright and 6 5 sophomore Sean Gronholm are expected to start, according to Connelly, who says any of eight other players could start at other positions. "I think it's wide open this season," Connelly added. With just two seniors, Mazama is one of the youngest teams. Still, nearly every Skyline coach expects the Vikings to finish first or second - except for Vikings coach Randy Rose. "This season, the league is as balanced and as up for grabs as I have ever seen it," he says. "Any team could take it." Levell Hesia - who was named all conference last season - leads Mazama. "He is 5 6 and he can dunk, and he is super quick," Rose says. "He is a dandy." Hesia will be helped by junior guard Kyle Blank. Junior Eric Brosterhous (6 5) is expected to start at post and senior forwards Tyler Larson and Chris Bocchi could round out the starting lineup. Defending Skyline champion Henley lost nearly every starter to graduation, and coach Jess Schefstrom says he doesn't expect his team to repeat. "We are inexperienced and we don't have many players out for basketball this season," he says. "This is a two year project for us." Two seniors return from last season's varsity: guard Frank Gauntz and wing Kirk Cunningham. Illinois Valley returns just two starters but has a lot to live up to. The team - second in the Skyline last season with a 10 4 record � posted two wins in the state 2001 3A tournament and finished the season 20 8. Seniors Justin Graven and Daniel Houston hope to help the Cougars reach the state tournament again. They will be helped by senior forward Beau Brown, junior forward Brian Paul, senior guard Matt Marvin and junior Chauncey Woods. No player towers over the others, but every player is over 6 feet and comfortable at any position, says coach Jeff Brimhall. "Everyone on the team will play multiple positions," he says. "We will definitely be in contention." Rogue River won just two conference games last season, but nearly every starter is back, making the Chieftains a serious threat. Senior forward Tony Coma and the team's tallest player, 6-4 senior Jason Luchterhand, lead the way. Senior guards Derrick Schoner and Luke Mortinson and sophomores Ryan Girodat and Ryan Mortinson expect to contribute. "We finished 2 12 in league, but we made improvements over the season," coach Scott Anderson says. "We played a lot of close games but lost in the fourth quarter." With just one returning starter from last year, Lakeview may have a tough go of it this season. Senior forward Carl Fairburn returns with senior Ryan Kiely, who played in many varsity games. Junior Logan Sheridan (6 4) brings some size to the team and junior Logan Sheridan is expected to run the point. Coach Gary Mills hopes to improve on last season, when the Honkers finished 6 8 and fifth in the conference. Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.