Unlike last season when Oak Ridge cruised to a 28-point win over Sarasota Riverview in a region semifinal, the host Pioneers got all they could handle from the visiting Rams during Friday’s Class 7A Region 2 final.
It was no surprise that when everything was on the line, Louisville signee Michael James was clutch in the final eight minutes of an 82-78 victory.
But it was Tyler Davis who was the hero for the 7A No. 1 Pioneers (23-2) in the final seconds.
With 16.5 seconds remaining and Oak Ridge clinging to a 79-78 lead, Lewis Jones missed a pair of free throws. Davis, who was the last player to enter the game for the Pioneers, grabbed the rebound and was fouled. The freshman made both free throws to give Oak Ridge a little breathing room.
“He’s made big plays for us all year,” Oak Ridge coach Steve Reece said of Davis. “I have confidence in putting him in the game and tonight was his night.”
James was visibly frustrated during the first three quarters as his team had to fight for every point. But he stepped up in the fourth quarter by making 10-of-12 free throws and grabbing five of his 15 rebounds.
“He put us on his back and imposed his will,” Reece said of James, who finished with a game-high 32 points. “[Riverview] is well-coached with a lot of athletes, so we knew it would be a tough game.”
How close was the contest? The Rams only led by as much as six points once and that was late in the first quarter. Oak Ridge (23-2) never led by more than five points.
The Pioneers, winners of 20 postseason games in four seasons under Reece, will face Metro Conference rival Dr. Phillips (22-3), a winner of 10 straight, at noon next Friday in Lakeland, according to the FHSAA state tournament schedule. The championship game will be played the next night at 8.
Oak Ridge, a state champ in 2018 and state semifinalist last season, will be making its third final four appearance in four years.
Fabio Basili had 14 points, six rebounds and five assists for Oak Ridge on Friday. Roddrick Henry added 11 points and Jones grabbed eight rebounds.
David Mazon III led Riverview (22-7) with 21 points while Jayven Millien had 15 and Jason Jackson 11.
This article first appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email varsity editor Buddy Collings at bcollings@orlandosentinel.com.
