Dennis Murphy doesn't make it a habit to disrupt his conference schedule, but sometimes an opportunity comes around that's too good to pass up.
It's that very situation that has the top-ranked South Medford boys basketball team in Springfield, Mo., today preparing for its first-ever Bass Pro Tournament of Champions.
The 23rd annual event has evolved into one of the premiere high school tournaments in the nation, and tournament directors were determined to lure the Kyle Singler-led Panthers.
"It was one of the earlier tournaments that got in touch with me last year, and that allowed me a chance to talk about it with all the college guys who were coming through town recruiting Kyle," says Murphy. "They all spoke very, very highly of it."
When Murphy opted to slip in a nonconference game against Jefferson last year amid the league slate, it gave him another chance to weigh his options with someone familiar with such invitations.
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Heading into tonight's tournament-opening game against the host city's Glendale High Falcons (tipoff is 6 p.m. PST), Murphy says those positive reviews are certainly warranted.
"They're just great, great people and very hospitable," he says.
Tournament officials paid for 20 airline tickets, are footing the bill for South's hotel rooms and also giving the 10-1 Panthers a food allowance during the trip.
Now the rest is up to Murphy and crew to live up to such treatment.
"I think the people there are excited to come and watch us, and we're surely excited to come play there," Murphy says of the Missouri trip.
"We're going to go back there and give it our best and enjoy it for what it's supposed to be," he adds, "and hopefully come back with a trophy."
Table Rock Sports, with Joe Brett and Kelly Rasmussen, will be broadcasting all three of South Medford's games in Missouri live on HANK-FM (105.1 FM).
Besides South Medford, which is ranked No. 24 in the USA Today Super 25 rankings and fifth in the West Region, the eight-team Bass Pro TOC features Raleigh-Egypt of Memphis, Tenn., which is ranked No. 22 in the USA Today Super 25 and seventh in the South Region. The national powers could potentially meet in Saturday's semifinals at 7:30 p.m. PST, with Raleigh-Egypt squaring off tonight against Rufus King of Milwaukee, Wis.
The other side of the bracket features Lake Howell of Winter Park, Fla., which is ranked 10th in the South Region, and Vashon of St. Louis, which beat Raleigh-Egypt 76-71 last Saturday. Vashon opens the festivities today with a game against St. Raymond's of New York, while Lake Howell takes on the third Missouri team, Willard High.
"There's some great competition there and we're pretty excited about that," says Murphy, adding that his Panthers were invited to "probably 15 different tournaments in 15 states."
In tonight's matchup, the Glendale Falcons feature 6-foot guard Spud Harbour and 6-3 forward Scotty Burrows. Harbour is on pace to become his school's all-time leading scorer as a four-year varsity performer, while Burrows is in his third year of varsity play.
Glendale (8-5) won the TOC in 1994, and most recently was third in 2002 and second in 1999.
"We don't know anything about them," Murphy says of the Falcons, "but I'm sure they'll have a lot of support there and will have the (8,600-seat Hammons Center at Missouri State University) packed with fans."
The local paper is already dubbing Singler arguably the most decorated player to participate in the rich tradition of the TOC. Others who have taken part include names like Alonzo Mourning, Lamar Odom, Larry Hughes and Tyler Hansbrough, but at least in terms of the national recruit rankings, Singler is tops.
The 6-9 forward certainly hasn't disappointed thus far, averaging 30 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists in his senior campaign. Singler also leads the team with seven charges taken and 13 blocked shots — one ahead of younger brother E.J. Singler.
Junior point guard Michael Harthun has also done his fare share of shouldering the load, averaging 21.4 points and 4.2 assists per game. The 6-3 standout is being recruited on a national stage as well, and is shooting over 46 percent from 3-point range this season.
The Panthers have hit a lull in recent days following a grueling run through the Les Schwab Invitational in Hillsboro. In consecutive days up north, South Medford squared off against Washington's Prairie High (85-55 win), defending Arizona state champion Mountain View (68-65 win), defending Oregon champion Lake Oswego (71-63 win) and defending Virginia champion — and USA Today's top boys team — Oak Hill Academy (99-90 loss).
In the past 10 days, however, South hasn't played to that same level. Murphy insists the lull has involved a "learning curve" for a team that is largely inexperienced beyond his top two players, but the TOC is a prime venue for a return to form.
"Based on our performance at the Les Schwab, we seem to get more excited for tournaments like this," he says. "Our kids have responded to this kind of atmosphere pretty well, and there's no question they're excited about what we're getting into."
Beyond the Duke-bound Singler and Harthun, some of the tourney's top prospects include Lake Howell's Nick Calathes (6-4) and Chandler Parsons (6-7), who have both signed to play at the University of Florida; Raleigh-Egypt's Maurice Miller (6-3), who has signed with Georgia Tech, and 6-1 sophomore Gentry Hines, who is being recruited by Memphis, Mississippi and Tennessee; Vashon's Leon Powell (6-7), who is being recruited by Missouri and Illinois; Rufus King junior Bryon Brown (6-6); and top 100 sophomores Omari Lawrence (6-2) and Kevin Parrom (6-5) of St. Raymond's.
Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail khenry@mailtribune.com
