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Varsity 541 NEWS NOW Gymnastics coach again admits to secret filming ... Police say honey-oil production sparked explosive fire ... Possible ODFW license hack reveals how tax fraud can occur ... Gymnastics coach again admits to secret filming ... Police say honey-oil production sparked explosive fire ... Possible ODFW license hack reveals how tax fraud can occur ... GIRLS BASKETBALL South Medford's Julissa Tago is a rare talent Comment By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt Posted Mar. 8, 2016 at 6:34 PM Updated Mar 14, 2016 at 11:12 PM By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt Posted Mar. 8, 2016 at 6:34 PM Updated Mar 14, 2016 at 11:12 PM --> Julissa Tago WHO: The 5-foot-9 senior who was named Southwest Conference player of the year for a second straight season. UP NEXT: Tonight, South Medford vs. Canby, Chiles Ce... » Read more X Julissa Tago WHO: The 5-foot-9 senior who was named Southwest Conference player of the year for a second straight season. UP NEXT: Tonight, South Medford vs. Canby, Chiles Center, Portland. » Social News When Julissa Tago talks about paradise, she's not just thinking about the breathtaking islands of Hawaii. There is the literal paradise the South Medford senior basketball player is just months away from enjoying, when she moves there to play for the NCAA Division I Rainbow Warriors. There is also an accomplishment that she can only imagine must feel something like paradise: to capture an elusive state crown. She'll get one more shot this week as the second-seeded Panthers (24-3) begin their push for a title with a state quarterfinal contest against No. 10 Canby (20-6) tonight in Portland. "For me, I have been so close almost every year other than last year," she says. "For me to win one in my last year, I don't want anything more than that, and to get (head coach) Tom (Cole) another one, just because he has worked so hard. It's our last opportunity as seniors. They want it. We all want it." During her chase for a championship, Tago has made her mark at South. She was named Southwest Conference player of the year her junior and senior campaigns, has played in two state finals and has made trips to the state tournament all four years. She's a rare and special talent, Cole says. "From an early age she showed signs of greatness," he says. "She's one of those kids as we look back, we knew this kid was destined for great things. It has been a really incredible run. She's an amazing basketball player and person." The 5-foot-9 Tago averaged 17 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and two steals for the Panthers this winter. A year ago, she her averages were 18.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.2 assists and two steals, and she averaged 14.5 points per game her sophomore season. When forward/post Hannah Washington suffered a season-ending injury earlier this year, Tago's typical role shifted from operating as a guard and small forward to more of a small forward and power forward, Cole says. "She can handle the ball as good as anyone and was a guard at the beginning of the year, but with Hannah out, there became more of a need for a rebounder and someone in the interior," he says. "Juli has one of the rarest skill sets that I've ever coached. It's special. It's a beautiful thing." One thing that has always remained the same, Cole says, is her shot. "She has as pure of a shot as I've seen," he says. The 18-year-old Tago looks back at her career with gratitude and a sense of perspective. "I am really fortunate that I got to play at a program like South," she says. "Before I even came there were girls like Ashley (Bolston) and Luisa (Tago) and Yaremi (Mejia) and Kylie (Towry) opening doors for me just being young and watching them play. The support we've gotten all four years outside in the community has been awesome. Everyone has been so accepting and loving." And then there is Cole, that sharply dressed man on the sidelines come game day. He and Tago have had quite the run: Tago has been part of four straight undefeated league seasons, and the Panthers have won 78 consecutive league contests and six straight conference crowns overall. South has played in three of the last four state championships, but Tago was an eighth-grader when the program won it all in 2012. "I owe that man everything," she says. "He brought me in and takes care of all his players. I have a player/coach relationship with him, but he's like a second dad." Jeryka Johnson, one of the other seniors on the team along with Jasmin Falls, calls Tago an amazing teammate and friend. "You couldn't ask for a better teammate," says Johnson, who is a team captain along with Tago and Falls. "She's a great leader. If someone's head is down she picks us up. She is very special to me. We've gone through so much and known each other for years. If I needed to go to someone I would go to her. It's going to be crazy not being here next year. I know Juli is going to go far at Hawaii." Johnson isn't the only teammate who raves about Tago. Says Falls: "She's just awesome. She makes you a better player." Adds junior Lauren Orndoff: "She's outgoing. She's super easy to talk to." In Honolulu, the Rainbow Warriors clinched the Big West Conference Tournament's No. 2 seed last Saturday at the Stan Sheriff Center. Hawaii (19-10, 12-4 BWC) owns a double bye straight to the semifinals in this week's tournament at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. The Rainbow Warriors, who have five seniors, won nine of their last 10 games. Tago has made a pair of visits to the Aloha State and stays in touch with many of her future teammates through social media. “Honestly, you just can't beat Hawaii," she says. "Everywhere you go and look there's sunshine. The coaching staff and players there are awesome and it's like a family there. I've already met people who go to school there and I found out I even have a cousin who plays football there (defensive lineman Jamie Tago)." Tago says the biggest thing she's learned during her four-year prep career is that tomorrow never comes. "I am just trying to soak it all in because I know it's coming to an end," she says. "I want to play every game like it's my last." Understandably, today could not come soon enough. "I haven't been able to sleep or anything," she says. "It's exciting." Reach reporter Dan Jones at 541-776-4499, or email [email protected]. Find him online at twitter.com/danjonesmt By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt MailTribune.com By Dan Jones Mail Tribune Follow @@danjonesmt Posted Mar. 8, 2016 at 6:34 PM Updated Mar 14, 2016 at 11:12 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction Schedules & Events --> Recent Scores --> Prep Notebook Kris Henry Challengers make it back on top in softball Winning the Southern Cascade League title seemed like a pretty bold goal this spring considering the recent history of the Cascade Christian... Varsity 541 Photos Coach K Summer Competition at SOU U19 Memorial Day Challenge North Medford vs. Grant State Track & Field 6A-6 SWC District Championships 5A-3 Midwestern League Districts - Day 1 » More Photo Galleries Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications | Contact Us | Advertise | © Copyright Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.