So, you average 20 points and 4.5 assists per game for the state’s top-ranked (at least for most of the season) basketball team. You’re the point guard, the engine of the team. In your head-to-head matchups with the state’s other top guards, you either match or out-shine the opposition.

That’s why the exclusion of South Medford junior Michael Harthun on the Class 6A first-team all-state list is a major head-scratcher for me.

Harthun, fresh off a 24-point night in the Panthers’ state-championship victory, was a second-team member for the second straight year. I understand his second-team status last season. He was a sophomore on a team filled with experienced talent.

But this year, the offense revolved around what Kyle Singler and Harthun did. And, 27 wins and a state title later … well, you can see how that worked out.

I realize coaches vote before the state tournament (a three-day event where Harthun shot 69 percent from 3-point range and 61 percent overall) but wasn’t his body of work during the regular season enough?

Of course, earning a second-team nod is still quite an honor. I would have been thrilled with such accolades during my playing days. But apparently my 4.5 points per contest as a starting guard wasn’t enough. It wasn’t my fault I was a vertically challenged, sometimes turnover-prone hooper packed into a 130-pound frame. Right?

Maybe the third time will be the charm for Harthun. Maybe his senior season, coaches (especially those up north) will see the light. What else can the guy do?

This entry was posted on Friday, March 23rd, 2007 at 8:44 pm and is filed under Sports Insiders. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.