The South Medford Boys basketball team won the Oregon 6A State Championship last night at the University of Oregon basketball arena Mac Court. Before a sell out crowd the South Medford Panthers beat Lake Oswego for the Championship of the largest high schools in Oregon. Lake Oswego was led by center Kevin Love who is going to UCLA next year. South Medford was led by Kyle Singler who is going to Duke University next year. It was the battle of the titans and was a rematch of last years State Championship won by Lake Oswego. This was the second win this season by South Medford over Lake Oswego. In December South Medford beat Lake Oswego in a tournament in the Portland area. South Medford and the entire state has been waiting all year for this rematch in the Championship and "pay back" was sweet!
The crowd was predominately made up of Medford fans who drove the three hours to Eugene for the game. Through out the game the Medford fans waived their white towels to urge the Panthers on to victory. After the game the fans rushed the court and celebrated long into the night. South Coach, Dennis Murphy, led the victorious Panthers in a jig as he was perched on a ladder having just cut down the net off the basket. The South Medford fans jumped up and down to the music of the band and were led by the coach who jumped up and down on the ladder waiving the net above his head. It was a classic moment I will not soon forget. I only wish my kids, South Medford grads, could have been there to celebrate with their mother and I . It has been a magical year. Thanks for the memories and a great year!
UPDATE
An Oregon Duck fan who was at the game posted these comments on an internet forum:
First, I do not have a "dog in the fight". I was at the Championship game last night simply because I enjoy basketball.
CROWD: Great crowd on both sides. But it was CLEAR the majority of the fans supported South Medford. I bet 70% of the crowd was from Medford or supported Medford.
I think both crowds did a great job supporting their teams. BUT South fans were unreal. They were the best fans I have ever seen at a high school game. There cheers and chants were unique! You guys rock!
OFFICIALS: South was getting screwed ALL night in calls. I don't think it was partial, just inconsistant.
Kevin can bang and push but if Kyle touched him, KS got called. It was nuts and almost cost South.
COACHING: It was clear that Coach Murphy coached and Shoff and Dudley whinned all night. It will be interesting to see what happens next year, maybe they will actually have to coach!
FINALLY THOUGHT:
It's without question that the better "team" was South, not even in question!
I think Kevin is a good player but just in Oregon, he doesnt have anyone physically that can match up with him.
I think Kyle is the more "complete" basketball player and will be the better college/NBA player.
In Oregon, Kevin can "push" himself around but NOT in college. In order of Kevin to have sucess at the next level, he will have to have solid players around him!
WHAT IS WITH:
What is with Kevin walking all the way out to center court to stretch before shooting a free throw.
Oregon has never embraced Kevin. There is just something about him that makes me think he only cares about himself. I don't know the guy but man, he is NOT KS.
Kyle is the measuring stick of what a high school player should strive for.
It wasn't a Panther victory but a celebration that should be enjoyed by the entire city of Medford. You did yourself proud!
