Curtis scores 19 points to lead three Black Tornado in double figures as SWC goes 0-4 in 6A state playoff openers

North Medford gave itself a chance at a state playoff upset Wednesday night, keeping host Roosevelt from gaining momentum in the first quarter by taking an 18-17 lead through eight minutes in the Class 6A boys basketball matchup.

Throughout the middle quarters, however, the Roughriders proved why they were granted the No. 10 seed — outscoring the 23rd-seeded Black Tornado by 18 points over the middle frames to seize control and carry through for a 74-55 triumph.

North Medford was seeking its first state playoff win since 2022 — when it was ultimately ousted in the second round by Roosevelt — and has now lost two straight in the first round after not reaching the playoffs in 2023.

Senior guard Easton Curtis led the charge for North Medford (14-11), which tied for second with South Medford and Grants Pass in the Southwest Conference behind Sheldon. Curtis connected for six 3-pointers in 10 attempts to finish with 19 points, adding four rebounds and two steals.

Senior guard Dylan Scott had 11 points and four assists, while junior Traeger Healy contributed 10 points and four rebounds and senior Nate Anderson pulled in eight rebounds to go with six points.

Adrian Montague erupted for 16 of his 21 points in the second half for Roosevelt (20-6), which also saw Syrius Owens collect all 20 of his points over the opening three quarters.

The Roughriders built a 38-30 lead by halftime, then outscored North Medford 20-11 in the third quarter to put the Black Tornado in scramble mode.

In what was already believed to be a down year for the SWC, the league teams went 0-for-4 in the opening round to go winless in the state playoffs for the second time in three years. South Medford, which lost a playoff spot due to a tiebreaker and its lost state power ranking, was the only team to win a year ago.

In Wednesday’s state playoff openers, Sheldon fell behind early and didn’t respond in a 60-41 home loss to South Salem, while Southridge beat Grants Pass 72-43 and Sherwood beat South Eugene 74-45 in the other games involving SWC squads.

NORTH MEDFORD (55): D. Scott 11, Rea 4, Curtis 19, Snyder 2, Healy 10, Anderson 6, Chin 0, Patterson 0, Vaelua 0, Q. Scott 3. Totals: 21 3-6 55.

ROOSEVELT (74): Nathan 4, Montague 21, Sanders 7, Moreira 2, Frantz 0, Davis 5, Eno 14, Harris 0, Owens 20, Baker 0, Beatty 0. Totals: 31 12-13 74.

North Medford 18 12 11 14 — 55

Roosevelt 17 21 20 16 — 74

3-point goals — North Medford 10 (Curtis 6, Healy 2, D. Scott 1, Q. Scott 1), Roosevelt 1 (Montague 1).

Reach sports editor Kris Henry at khenry@rv-times.com or 458-488-2035