MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week: North Medford boys basketball

The North Medford boys basketball team has won three Oregon state titles, but it’s been a while. Like a long while. Like 53 years.

The Black Tornadoes won the state crown in 1961 and that was after a 31-year drought, taking titles in 1930 and 1925.

Since Scott Plankenhorn took over, North Medford has definitely had some success, going 20-9 his second season after a 9-18 campaign his first year in 2006-07.

Since 2007-08, the Black Tornadoes have gone 18-6, 14-12, 20-7, 24-4 and last season 14-11.

This year, they are 15-5 following a three-game win streak after a 57-47 defeat to South Medford.

"We have got quite a few kids who returned from (last year's) team and committed themselves to make sure we did the little things to win close games," said Plankenhorn. "We have been much better at the defensive end and much more consistent at that end of the floor. We have really worked on trying to stay much more positive even when things aren't going perfect. The kids have just stayed together and keep working to get better every day."

North Medford is ranked 15th in the state and with an experienced crew that includes seven seniors, including co-captain Aaron Browne-Moore (8.2 points per game) and Julian Gray (10.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists per game).

The Black Tornadoes’ experience has shown the ability to win close games right from the get-go, with wins over Wilson (56-55) and Bend (56-54) to open the season.

Most recently, they defeated Crater 76-72 in overtime last week behind 23 points by senior Brian Bush and 14 apiece by Browne-Moore and Tristen Holmes, the team’s leading scorer at 18.2 per game.

For their clutch play down the stretch, North Medford has been picked as the MaxPreps Oregon Team of the Week, presented by the Oregon National Guard.

In the win over Crater, the Black Tornadoes made eight 3-pointers and got 12 rebounds from Browne-Moore, a 6-foot-3 forward.

Following the Crater win, North Medford rolled to a 66-39 win at Cascade Christian, racing to leads of 19-6 and 37-13 after the first two quarters.

Holmes had 17 points, Gray 12 and Browne-Moore 10. Ten different players scored.

"We are led by Tristen Holmes in scoring but also he is also our leading rebounder," said Plankenhorn. "He is near the top in assists and steals, also helping the team wherever needed. He is huge for this team with his consistent scoring of the ball but is a special player because of all the other things he does. He rebounds, assists and then will guard the best guard on the other team most of the time."

The Black Tornadoes get a rubber match with South Medford on Friday night at home. The teams have split two previous meetings.

"We are very split with seven seniors and six underclassmen on our 13-man roster currently, but are led by returning starters Julian Gray, Aaron Browne-Moore and Tristen Holmes. In the close games our ability to make big plays and play sound defense have been big factors in those wins."

With so much experience and an ability to win close games, they should make a strong state title run with the hope of ending the very long drought.

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.