Wildcats pounce past Alcoa to start ’26
Oak Ridge junior Justice West rises for a shot over an Alcoa defender during Friday night’s game at Wildcat Arena. The Wildcats defeated the visiting Tornadoes 73-58. (photo:Kyla Carter | ORHS Sports Media )
The Wildcats (5-5) had five players score in double figures in the triumph over the Tornadoes.
Charlie Taubenheim led all scorers with 26 points. Justice West added 14 points, while Ja’Rell Jemerson had 11. Eli Peters and Ethan James each finished with 10 points.
The win marked Oak Ridge’s first game since claiming third place at the Music City Tournament in Nashville during the final week of 2025.
The Wildcats wrapped up the tournament on New Year’s Eve with a 64-51 win over Ravenwood.
Thirteen proved to be a lucky number for Oak Ridge in that contest, as Taubenheim, Jemerson and James each scored 13 points against the Raptors.
In the tournament semifinals on Tuesday, Dec. 30, the Wildcats dropped a 51-46 decision to Page in a defensive battle.
Taubenheim led Oak Ridge with 21 points and reached a career milestone by surpassing 500 points in his high school career. Peters added 10 points, while Jemerson chipped in eight.
Oak Ridge opened the tournament on Saturday, Dec. 27, with a dominant 63-28 win over Whites Creek.
Taubenheim had 16 points, Jemerson scored 11, Peters had nine and West added eight.
