South Medford on pace to battle for first title

Kylie Towry, left, and Luisa Tago are two of the Panthers quick guards.

Photo by Cliff Pfenning, oregonsports.com.

Senior Tess Picknell controls the inside game for South Medford.

Photo by Cliff Pfenning, oregonsports.com

For a school that's never been past the state tournament quarterfinals, South Medford has turned into a national power in just one year.

Following a four-point win over Springfield in their season opener, the top-ranked Panthers have beaten every in-state opponent by at least 15 points, including a 69-50 blowout of No. 2 Oregon City in the title game of the Nike Northwest Shootout. The team has scored 81 points or more in nine of its 14 wins and has reached No. 12 in the MaxPreps National Rankings.

South Medford opened Southern Oregon Conference play with three wins by an average of 24 points.

Oregon City, 13-2, has scored 60 or more points in all of its wins and has one of the state's most bruising schedules, including a trip to Hawaii, to back up its ranking. The Pioneers are looking for their first title in three seasons.

No. 3 Westview, 9-4, and No. 4 Central Catholic, 13-1, which has lost only to Westview, appear as the top outside contenders. The Rams are 5-0 in Mount Hood Conference play.