Defense-first Oak Ridge overwhelms Hardin Valley

February 11, 2026 by Ken Lay

Prior to his team’s District 4-4A game Friday night, Oak Ridge High School boys basketball coach Aaron Green issued a challenge: defend with purpose.

The Wildcats responded in emphatic fashion, avenging an earlier loss to Hardin Valley Academy with a 76-39 victory Friday night at Wildcat Arena.

Oak Ridge jumped out quickly, opening a 24-10 lead in the first quarter and never letting up. The Wildcats turned the tables after a 70-63 loss earlier this season, controlling the tempo and cruising to the win.

“I think we came out and played with a little bit of a chip on our shoulder, and for the first time in a long time, I gave them a challenge,” Green said. “We gave up 70 points to them over there, and that’s just unacceptable. We didn’t guard well.

“Tonight, I thought we answered the challenge. They rebounded well, and I thought they played well defensively.”

Charlie Taubenheim paced the Wildcats with 23 points. Ja’Rell Jemerson added 14, and Luis Soria scored eight for Oak Ridge, which never trailed.

The win came on the heels of Oak Ridge’s 61-57 district victory over McMinn County on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

In that game, the Wildcats placed three players in double figures. Jemerson led the way with 17 points, while Taubenheim added 12. Justice West finished with 11, and Ethan James had nine.

Oak Ridge hosted Cleveland on Monday and closed district play Tuesday against Lenoir City. Results were unavailable at press time.

ORHS concludes the regular season Friday at home against Fulton.