Wildcats roar past Beavers, remain undefeated in District play
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Wildcats’ junior Garrett Giles dunks the ball during Oak Ridge’s home matchup against Karns last Saturday. - Luther Simmons
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Oak Ridge’s Jenna Johnson shoots a jump shot against a Karns defender. The Lady Wildcats won the home matchup 76-46. - Luther Simmons
Oak Ridge High School’s boys basketball team kept its perfect District 3-4A record intact with a pair of league victories last week at home.
The Wildcats (16-5 overall, 4-0 in the district) are set to enter this week in sole possession of first place and as the lone undefeated team in the league.
Oak Ridge was able to exact a little revenge in its last appearance on the hardwood on Saturday night. The Wildcats defeated Karns, 81-70, Saturday night at Wildcat Arena.
The win avenged ORHS’s season-ending overtime loss to the Beavers in the 2023 Region 2-4A Tournament at Karns.
The Wildcats had four players post double figures in the scoring column Saturday. Garrett Giles, a senior, led the way with 22 points. Cooper Williams added 18, while Ray’Quan Watson and Kaden Brightharp finished with 16 points each.
Oak Ridge opened last week with a 78-50 win over Knoxville Halls at home on Tuesday, Jan. 9. The Wildcats again featured a balanced and potent offensive attack against the Red Devils.
Watson led the way with 19 points. Williams scored 17. Shamar Greene added 12 and Brightharp finished 11.
The Wildcats were scheduled to play two district games on the road this week.
They were scheduled to travel to Jacksboro to face Campbell County on Tuesday (weather permitting). Results were not available at press time.
Oak Ridge is slated to head to North Knoxville’s Fountain City Community to face Knoxville Central Friday night.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. as the Wildcats look to avenge last year’s district tournament semifinal loss to the Bobcats.