SPORTS

Oak Ridge teams out of Region Tourney

Carmen Roberts
Oakridger
Oak Ridge's Flip Thomson (5) passes the ball back out during the high school basketball game between the Oak Ridge Wildcats and Clinton Dragons in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on Monday, February 14, 2022.

The Wildcats hit a brick wall called Bearden.

Oak Ridge tried to fight its way back, but the defending Region Champion Bulldogs played better on this Tuesday, March 2, game. Congratulations on a great season, Wildcats!

Oak Ridge trailed Bearden after one quarter, 18-11 and fell behind as much as 20 points in the fourth quarter. The final score was 40-58.  It was a great effort by the entire Oak Ridge team.

This is the sixth straight season these two programs have played one another in the Region 2 Tournament. These two teams met at Farragut High School to battle it out on Tuesday.

Oak Ridge's Kell Slater (11) tries to score while guarded by Clinton's Rishon Bright (4) and Jackson Garner (3) in the high school basketball game between the Oak Ridge Wildcats and Clinton Dragons in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on Monday, February 14, 2022.

The Wildcats seniors Lucas Searcy, Kell Slater, Jamison Uptgraft, Caden Uptgraft, Flip Thompson and Darren Osborne, did not want their season and high school basketball careers to end this early in the tournament, but the Wildcats just couldn't get anything going. These six seniors have represented their school and the city of Oak Ridge with pride and dedication.

"This is one of the best senior groups that I have ever coached. It will be sad to see them go. The wand is now passed on to the underclassman to go to work and prepare for next season," Oak Ridge head coach Aaron Green said.

"It is a tough one to swallow, we were only behind by five in the first quarter and played awful. I thought we would come back and turn it around, but that didn't happen. This is a really, really great group of kids and I am proud of them. I am extremely disappointed in the outcome, but we just didn't have a good night," Green said.

Oak Ridge's Gracie Hearon (25) gets the rebound during the high school basketball game between the Oak Ridge Wildcats and Clinton Dragons in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on Monday, February 14, 2022.

Lady Wildcats lose 40-31

The Lady Wildcats season ended against Farragut in the second round of the Region 2 Tournament. The Lady 'Cats lost by a final score of 40-31.

Oak Ridge struggled throughout the game against Farragut's smothering defense. Buckets that would normally go in, just wouldn't fall. 

This is a heartbreaker, especially for the three Lady Wildcats who are graduating seniors, Gracie Hearon, Loren Hart and Semaj Clark. Good luck to them in all of their future endeavors.

Oak Ridge has won 23 Region Titles since 1981 and has been to the State Tournament 24 times winning State Titles in 1988, 1994 and 1997.

Oak Ridge knocked off the Lady Admirals last season in the first round at Oak Ridge, but this was Farragut's year. Farragut has never qualified for the State Tournament; maybe this team will make it to the big game.

Oak Ridge's Jenna Johnson (34) looks to the basket while guarded by Clinton's Allie York (2) in the high school basketball game between the Oak Ridge Wildcats and Clinton Dragons in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on Monday, February 14, 2022.

Oak Ridge trailed Farragut most of the game, but just couldn't pull another big comeback out of the bag like they had against William Blount on Feb. 25. This Oak Ridge team never gave up and fought hard for every point, but they just couldn't match up against a bigger, stronger and more physical Farragut team. It was just not meant to be.

The Lady Wildcats have had a good run. Oak Ridge finished the season with 20 wins and only two losses.

"We couldn't shoot the ball, but they fought and fought hard. I feel like several players struggled, we just couldn't overcome Farragut's length. I hope the players coming back stay hungry," Oak Ridge head coach Paige Taylor said.

The future looks bright for the Lady Wildcats' program. Next season, Oak Ridge will have a strong team with talented freshmen like Ze'Yana Stewart, Aniah Porter and Jenna Johnson, who have seen a lot of playing time this year.