The Kyle Singler recruiting show is about to end.
Singler, South Medford High's highly sought basketball standout, took his final recruiting visit last week when he toured the University of Kansas.
Singler journeyed to Arizona and Duke last month. His list of high-profile college hoop programs was recently reduced from four to three when he ruled out UCLA.
"It's a great program, but it just didn't feel right for me," said Singler of his decision to exclude UCLA.
Singler said Sunday he'll make a decision on the college of his choice within a couple weeks.
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Singler enjoyed his trip to Kansas. The Jayhawks opened practice Friday night before 16,000 fans. The four-hour session, dubbed "Late Night in the Phog" because the arena is named after former coach Forrest "Phog" Allen, included more than jump shots, slam dunks and shooting contests as the players staged a skit and did a rendition of "Dancing with the Stars" before their enthusiastic followers.
"It was a wild and crazy time, really fun," said Singler.
Singler also had dinner and breakfast at the home of head coach Bill Self, who has recruited him since the start of his sophomore year, longer than any other coach.
"He's an easy guy to talk to and the funniest coach I've dealt with in the recruiting process," said Singler of Self. "And the Kansas players were really friendly. I knew most of them through summer basketball."
Singler said the city of Lawrence, where the university is located, isn't as flat as he imagined and he noted that Kansas City, Mo., is only about 30 minutes away.
"You hear that it (Lawrence) is in the middle of nowhere but it isn't, really," said Singler. "I'd be comfortable going to school there."
The all-expenses paid trips to Arizona, Duke and Kansas have been fascinating, intriguing junkets, and the multiple visits to Medford by Self, UCLA's Ben Howland, Arizona's Lute Olson and Duke's Mike Krzyzewski have excited Singler. But he admitted Sunday he's ready for the recruiting extravaganza to end.
He's also chomping at the bit for the high school season to begin. Practice opens Nov. 6.
"Getting the whole recruiting thing off my shoulders will be a huge relief," he said. "I'm ready for that to happen."
On Sunday, Singler went one-on-one in the South Medford gym with former South Medford and Corban College All-American Eric Fiegi. With Panthers assistant coach Josh Jamieson passing the ball to one and then the other, the two 6-foot-9 power forwards went at it like a couple of twin brothers in the backyard.
Fiegi, who led the nation's small colleges in scoring the past two years, had a brief stint with a professional team in France last summer and plans to play in Australia early next year.
"He doesn't back down at all," said Fiegi after the one-on-one session was over. "I probably outweigh Kyle by 20 or 30, pounds but he was holding his own in the post.
"For a high school kid to have his skills and athleticism, it's pretty amazing. He'll have no problem wherever he goes."
The 6-9, 215-pound Singler has grown an inch and gained about 10 pounds since last season.
"I don't think I've stopped growing," said Singler. "I wouldn't mind getting another inch or two taller."
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THE FEELING FROM here is that Singler will pick Duke. Krzyzewski, considered by many to be the nation's top college coach, has already formed a close relationship with Singler and has told him he has the potential to become an All-American.
Singler has said that attending school thousands of miles from home wouldn't bother him and he once said that he'll lean toward the school where he feels he has the best chance to win.
Krzyzewski has won three national titles and been to the NCAA tournament 22 times — including 10 Final Fours — in his 26 years as the Blue Devils coach.
THE ATMOSPHERE AT Mel Ingram Field Friday night in Grants Pass was just like old times.
There wasn't an empty seat in the house and fans were lined up three and four deep around the stadium as the fifth-ranked Cavemen remained unbeaten with a 19-14 win over North Medford.
The scenario was reminiscent of the 1950s, '60s and '70s, when the matchup between the two bitter rivals often had a conference championship and a trip to the state playoffs hanging in the balance.
Grants Pass hadn't defeated the Black Tornado since 2001 and had dropped six of the eight previous matchups, but senior tailback Craig Dolmage ran for 127 yards and two second-half touchdowns to fuel the Caveman triumph.
GP is now 7-0 for the first time since 1994.
"Everyone said we hadn't played anybody, but they can't say that now," said Dolmage, noting that Grants Pass has beaten eighth-ranked South Eugene and now North Medford on back-to-back Fridays.
Dolmage, the state's leading rusher with 1,133 yards, said that improved conditioning is one reason the Cavemen are winning.
"I've always gotten tired in the past and had to come out of games, but not this year," said Dolmage, who also plays strong safety on defense. "The coaches are really pushing us, conditioning-wise, and the whole team has accepted it.
"The way we look at it is, losing is easy and winning is hard. We want this season to be special."
Added Grants Pass coach Tom Blanchard: "I'm pushing these kids harder than I have any team I've had in my 17 years here as the head coach. I'm not sure they look forward to Monday and Tuesday practices, but they know that being in shape is one of the things we can control."
The Cavemen appear to be on a collision course with third-ranked Sheldon Oct. 27 in Eugene, although both teams have some business to take care of Friday as Grants Pass hosts South Medford while Sheldon meets North Medford at Spiegelberg Stadium.
Reach sports writer Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail dhunt@mailtribune.com.
