Phoenix survives Ash�s dash - February 13, 2004

Mail Tribune (Medford, OR — Wayback)

2004-03-06

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Click Here 59 °F Forecast | Road Cams Saturday, March 6, 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 February 13, 2004 Phoenix survives Ash’s dash MERLIN — No buzzer-beater this time. Shaun Ash’s running 3-point attempt was reminiscent of Darren Clark’s game-winner at the horn against Hidden Valley on Feb. 3, but Ash’s shot caught back rim and backboard to allow Phoenix to exhale with a 62-61 Skyline Conference boys basketball victory Thursday night. Ash scored a game-high 23 points for North Valley (13-9, 8-4 Skyline), but the Knights couldn’t overcome a 51-41 deficit entering the fourth quarter. The seventh-ranked Pirates (20-2, 11-1 Skyline) moved a half game ahead of Hidden Valley in the conference standings. The Mustangs (10-1 Skyline) play at Mazama (2-9) tonight. The Knights have a 1½ -game edge on Henley (6-5) for third place, but first-year head coach Rob Boye would have loved a comeback victory in front of a packed gym Thursday. Advertisement Ash tried to comply, rebounding Jason Lockett’s miss on the front end of a one-and-one with four seconds left, racing down court and getting off the potential game-winner before the buzzer. "I was really surprised he got it up, but he’s quick," Boye said. "In three seconds, he rebounded the free throw and got to within 23 feet away for the shot." Phoenix held a 27-25 edge at the break before catching fire to build its 10-point cushion entering the final period. Senior guard Michael Smith scored seven of his 18 points in the fourth to help the Pirates survive. Senior post Lockett totaled 18 points and 12 rebounds, but senior point guard Brett Ellis was held to five points. North Valley’s full- and half-court traps sprang its rally, forcing eight turnovers in the final period. "It was a real team effort in the fourth," Boye said. "It was a swarming defense." Junior guard Quentin Tisch provided all seven of his points in the fourth for North Valley, and junior center Andy Shannon snagged 13 rebounds for the night. Senior forward Darren Clark had 11 points, and junior guard Anthony Spain dished seven assists. "It’s a pretty fun year," said Phoenix head coach Kevin Dixon, whose team defeated Henley, 54-52, Tuesday on Ellis’ last-second jumper. "I think our league around here is about as entertaining as anybody." PHOENIX (62) — Ellis 5, Lockett 18, Smith 18, Bones 8, Bursk 6, Decuir 4, Albrecht 3, McKinnis 0, Galligan 0. Totals: 23 10-19 62. NORTH VALLEY (61) — Ash 23, Clark 11, Hohnstein 8, Tisch 7, Shannon 5, Spain 4, Silva 3. Totals: 20 19-27 61. Phoenix .................................... 14 13 24 11 — 62 North Valley ............................ 13 12 16 20 — 61 3-point goals — Phoenix 6 (Smith 3, Lockett 2, Ellis 1), NV 2 (Clark 1, Tisch 1). JV result— Phoenix won. 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