Valley Catholic has climbed to No. 1 in the OSAAtoday 3A coaches poll under new coach Bryan Fraser. (Photo by Brett Fifer)

Coming off back-to-back runs to the 3A semifinals, Valley Catholic's boys basketball team was a wild card entering this season.

The Valiants not only had five new starters, but they were breaking in a new coach in Bryan Fraser, who replaced Jeb Ivey.

Ten games into the season, Valley Catholic has established a different type of winning identity. Behind an offense that is averaging 82.6 points per game – highest in the state for all classifications – the Valiants are 9-1, vaulting to No. 1 in the OSAAtoday 3A coaches poll this week.

Their frenetic pace is a dramatic change from last season, when they averaged 58.9 points per game.

“This is what we do,” Fraser said. “I'm not going to come off of that because I know nobody else is playing like that in 3A. We want these kids to feel like they can knock off a 6A team when they get on that court.”

Fraser, a Sacramento native who played at Sacramento State, came over from 6A Roosevelt, where he assisted last season. He inherited a group with limited varsity experience.

“We have eight or nine guys that were part of that group that were kind of champing at the bit, waiting to get their turn,” Fraser said. “We've been painting our own picture with a clear canvas. I think it's turning out OK so far.”

The players have responded to Fraser's wide-open, rapid-fire philosophy. Teams are struggling to keep up with the Valiants, who are outscoring opponents by 29.4 points per game.

“You've got to give them some leash, because there are some dogs and they can learn,” Fraser said. “We don't want to cage these dogs to where they can't get out and really show who they are.

“I'm teaching them all about spacing. We're just utilizing every inch of that 94 feet. We're trying to get better on defense and learn how to put it all together.”

Valley Catholic routed 3A No. 3 Pleasant Hill 73-45 and has beaten three ranked 2A teams, dropping No. 2 Regis 92-86, No. 7 Knappa 83-58 and No. 8 Western Christian 72-43. The only blemish on the Valiants' record is a 90-69 loss at 4A No. 1 Scappoose.

Hank Lomber, a 6-foot-6 junior wing, leads Valley Catholic in scoring with a 23.8-point average. Fraser said that Lomber, who has had games of 36 and 32 points, is a raw talent with mid-major college potential.

“I think he can turn into something special,” Fraser said. “He's a freaky guy. He's fast and he likes to play in space.”

Junior guard Garrett Frank (16.0 points) and senior guard Michael Mehta (12.0 points) also are averaging in double figures. Senior point guard Cooper Bonnett is the team's glue, according to Fraser, and 6-4 senior guard Marcos Mueller, a standout receiver in football who is committed to Calvin University (Mich.) for track, is a defensive stopper.

The Valiants are attempting 21.9 three-pointers per game, making 7.0 (32.0 percent). Mehta and Lomber lead the team in three-pointers with 24 and 23, respectively.

“I never tell the kids not to shoot, because that's when you get a different basketball player,” Fraser said. “I tell them, 'I'll take you out if you don't shoot the ball.'”

Fraser said the Valiants are pushing for a 100-point game. Their season high is 97.

“We're motivated to get that,” he said. “Most importantly, we want to get that consistently. That's what we feel like will win a state championship.”

Valley Catholic opens Lewis & Clark League play Tuesday at Horizon Christian (6-5). The Valiants face a big test Thursday when they play host to No. 2 Westside Christian (8-2), the reigning state champion.

“We want to send a message, there's a new sheriff in town,” Fraser said.

Smith breaks freshman record

Reynolds freshman Jordan Smith continues to show why he is among the most highly regarded prospects in his class.

The 6-4 Smith set a freshman state record Friday when he scored 55 points in a 106-73 win at Roseburg in a 6A nonleague game. The outburst raised his season scoring average to 28.6.

Smith made seven three-pointers, including five in a 29-point first half. He had 45 points after three quarters and went on to break the freshman record of 54 points, set by South Wasco County's Jason Hull three seasons ago.

“That kid is a heck of a ball player,” Roseburg coach Brett Nixon told the Roseburg News-Review.

Behind Smith, Reynolds is off to a 6-4 start after going 4-20 last season. The Raiders will try to end a 43-game Mt. Hood Conference losing streak Jan. 13 when they play host to Sandy.

Freshman leads Brookings-Harbor

Smith isn't the only freshman putting up eye-popping numbers this season.

Brookings-Harbor point guard Tucker Delay set a school record Monday when he scored 47 points to lead the 3A Bruins to a 75-65 home win over 2A Illinois Valley. Delay made seven three-pointers, five in the first quarter.

The 5-11 Delay grew up in Astoria and relocated to Southern California before moving to Brookings last summer. He is averaging a team-high 24.5 points and 5.5 steals per game and has made 54 three-pointers for the Bruins, who have started 9-4 after finishing 4-20 last season.

“The culture has completely changed since he's got here,” coach Luke Beaman said. “He pushes everyone. He works after hours. He puts up thousands of shots a day after practice.

“He wants it more than anyone. He's taken a leadership role that you couldn't expect a freshman ever to take. We run plays through him pretty much every chance we can. He's a team player.”

Delay has scored 109 points in his last three games, all wins. He put up 35 points against Coquille on Friday and 27 points against Umpqua Valley Christian on Saturday.