BASKETBALL

Oak Ridge's Lady 'Cats dealing with injuries as new basketball season begins

Allen Etheridge
Special to The Oak Ridger

Last year: The Oak Ridge High School Lady Wildcats amassed a 20-10 record during the 2022-2023 season, including a perfect 10-district slate and a District 3 Tournament championship. Although they carried the momentum of a district title into the Region Tournament, the 'Cats lost in the first round to Maryville, and the season came to a sudden end. Most of the same group returns this year, but a series of injuries means that the 'Cats will look a little different for some time. While junior forward Jenna Johnson has successfully rehabbed from last season’s knee injury and will be back on the floor during Nov. 14's season-opener, leading scorer Ze’Yana Stewart, who averaged 16.1 points last year, begins the season in rehab for a summer knee injury and isn’t likely to play until February. Both senior Bella Boone, who was projected to play big minutes, and freshman Saniah Troupe are struggling with injury, as well. Coach Paige Taylor’s squad tends to build steam as the year progresses, though, and the expectation remains the same as always for this proud program: peak performance at tournament time.

The 2023-24 Oak Ridge High School girls' basketball team.

Projected starters

  • No. 3 Dimitria Strickland (5-3 Senior) - Starting at the point guard or SG position, Strickland is one of the most experienced players on the court. She can be a streaky shooter, but is lights-out when she’s feeling her shot. Outstanding defender. Averaged 12.2 points per game and 2.1 assists last year. 
  • No. 12 Euleesha Mitchell (5-8 Freshman) - Starting at the SG or PG slot. Taylor praises her basketball IQ and her pugnacious defense and rebounding. The freshman scores off the dribble and shoots the three well. 
  • No. 22 Jenayah Pippins (5-8 Freshman) - Starting SF who Coach calls “the best defender on the team. She crashes the boards and plays super hard.” The “blue-collar” player works hard in practice and is a quick study. Very coachable. 
  • No. 34 Jenna Johnson (5-10 Junior) - Starting PF. Strength is her length on defense and rebounding. Scores inside and outside both. Very athletic. Averaged 10.2 points per game last year before her injury. 
  • No. 15 Evelyn Eubanks (6-1 Sophomore) - Starting at the 5 spot, Eubanks’ size gives her a strong inside presence. Coach praises her knowledge of the game and innate intelligence. 

Bench Players: Coach Taylor has a young, hard-working bench who will get varsity minutes this year. 

  • No. 25 Se’Quari Stewart (5-4 Sophomore) 
  • No. 4 Emma Chesson (5-6 Junior) 
  • No. 14 Honesty Thompson (5-4 Freshman) 
  • No. 20 Paige Lawing (5-10 Sophomore) 
  • No. 23 Aniya Heyward-Tharpe (5-3 Sophomore) 

Winter Returns: The big news will be the return of No. 5, Ze’Yana Stewart from injury. Projected to return by tournament time, the 5-7 junior is the difference-maker for the 'Cats because of her ability to score from anywhere on the court and her in-game leadership. Coach Taylor points out that Stewart “has been part of everything this summer and fall - coaching, encouraging, working hard on her rehab so she gets back in the game.” Similarly, returning 5-11 senior post Bella Boone and 5-4 sophomore guard Se’Quari Stewart have struggled with injury this fall and are working to get back into the starting mix. 

Season Outlook: The new TSSAA Region 2 alignment moves Knox West to District 4 and Halls to District 3 this season, but the 'Cats’ outlook remains the same: compete for district and region titles and make a run toward the state tournament. District rivals Karns and Campbell County, who both return strong squads, will likely stand between the 'Cats and their goals, but Taylor says that when the team is healthy, their potential is there for a return to the Region Tournament and beyond. Coach Taylor’s teams tend to get stronger in January and February, and this group of both young and experienced starters will take time to gel. After a summer in which they played “older” than their age, Coach is looking for bigger and better in the winter and spring. 

ORHS Girls Basketball opens the 2023-2024 season on Tuesday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m. against Grace Christian in the Hall of Fame Game. 

Allen Etheridge is the Oak Ridge High School assistant athletic director and sports information director.

The Oak Ridge High School Lady Wildcats schedule for 2023-24.