MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week: Blanchet Catholic boys basketball

With all due respect, the Blanchet Catholic (Salem) Cavaliers don’t need any reminders.

Their current 18-game win streak is all well and good, but then they know that guarantees them nothing.

Last season, the Salem power won 17 in a row before a heartbreaking 49-29 loss in the 3A state finals to Horizon Christian. An impressive 28-5 season it was for the Cavaliers, who have won at least 23 games in each of the previous four seasons under coach Jon Tromblay.

This season, led by a strong core of seniors and juniors, Blanchet Catholic is bent on going all the way after a 4-4 start.

Thanks to their 18-game win streak and a strong balanced scoring attack, the Cavaliers are the MaxPreps Oregon State Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.

"Our pre-league schedule was very challenging," said Tromblay. "It provided us the opportunity to compete at a high level, which has helped our team the last two months."

Led by 6-foot-3 senior guard Patrick Counts, grandson of former Olympic gold medalist and NBA veteran Mel Counts, the Cavaliers average 63.4 points per game.

Counts averages 18.9 points and 5.7 rebounds a game while shooting 51 percent from the field.

"Patrick is a three-year varsity captain," said Tromblay. "His ability to include his teammates in all aspects of the game has contributed to our success."

Counts is joined by 6-2 senior guard Trevor Howard (16.7 ppg) as the only double-digit scorers on average during the year.

The rest of the squad, led by 5-10 senior Kyle Ruiz (6.8 ppg), fill in their roles beautifully, which has led to a 17-0 league record.

"Not only do they work together on the court, but off the court as well," said Tromblay. "We have three senior players that have started together since their sophomore year. They have grown accustomed to each others' strengths and have incorporated their other teammates seamlessly."

In a 90-37 win over Pleasant Hill, Howard struck for a season-high of 30 points. He’s been a model of consistency lately, with 13 straight double-digit scoring games, including tallies of 21, 20, 23, 23 and 19 his last five games.

Counts has been even more prolific as the season has progressed, scoring 28, 29 and 26 his last three games. He’s scored in double figures in all but one game this season.

The 29 were a season high in a 88-51 win over Creswell last week.

The Cavaliers have only been threatened a few times during the win streak, twice in the last two weeks, a 59-53 win over Dayton and a 65-60 victory over Harrisburg. They also have a 53-52 win over Creswell. All the other wins have been by double digits.

"Our number one objective each year is to challenge for a league title," said Tromblay. "Last year’s loss was not a topic of conversation this season."

The Cavaliers have a rematch with Harrisburg on Thursday night, and Tromblay has been preparing the team with a specific focus.

"Free throws and more free throws!" he said.

MaxPreps editorial assistant Kirstin Beal contributed to this report.

Do you know a team that deserves consideration for Oregon Team of the Week? Email us with your nominations at ORteamoftheweek@maxpreps.com.