Oak Ridge falters late against Hardin Valley
Oak Ridge’s Charlie Taubenheim had 13 points in the Wildcats’ District 4-AA matchup against Hardin Valley Academy on Friday night. (photo:ORHS Sports Media )
“They played harder than we did and they wanted it more than we did,” Green said after the Wildcats squandered a nine-point advantage in a 70-63 road loss to the Hawks.
“You can talk about X’s and O’s all you want, but they just played harder and were tougher. As a coach, you try to establish a mindset where your team gives effort.”
The opening quarter was evenly contested before Oak Ridge grabbed the edge on a buzzer-beating shot by Justice West.
That momentum carried into the second quarter, where the Wildcats stretched the lead to 30-24 before a last-second 3-pointer by Josh Amos made it 33-24 at the break.
But Hardin Valley (12-8 overall, 2-4 in District 4-4A) clawed back in the third, outscoring Oak Ridge 20-11 and tying the game with a buzzer-beating jumper by Hunter Ratcliff.
The Hawks completed their rally in the final eight minutes. Jax Sparks caught fire in the second half, scoring all 12 of his points after halftime — including 10 in the fourth quarter. His pair of 3-pointers, including one that gave the Hawks a 61-57 lead with 1:39 remaining, proved pivotal.
Sparks also knocked down two free throws to extend the lead to 66-61 with 28.4 seconds left. Kymani Smith, who finished with 17 points, sealed the win by making four foul shots in the closing seconds
Eli Peters led Oak Ridge (11-7, 4-2) with 15 points. West had 14 and Charlie Taubenheim added 13.
