News Opinion Sports Videos Community Schools Churches Announcements Obituaries Events Search/Archive Community Schools Churches Announcements Obituaries Calendar Contact Us Advertisements Search/Archive Public Notices

Sports

OR Rec spring sports registration now open

Team registration for the city of Oak Ridge Department of Recreation and Parks’ 2024 spring softball and outdoor 3x3 basketball season are now underway.

A men’s softball league will be offered on Monday evenings, and a recreational and a competitive coed league will be offered on Tuesday evenings.

For basketball, an 18-and-up open league will be offered on Wednesday evenings.

Teams must complete registration paperwork and pay the applicable registration fees by March 23.

Games are scheduled to begin the week of April 8.

For more information, teams may contact Matt Reece at 865-425-3440, or players may inquire at the front desk of the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

Anderson County soccer aims high with experienced roster

When the Anderson County High School boys soccer team opens its 2024 season next Tuesday night, it will do so with an experienced roster.

The Mavericks had a young squad that struggled last season, but third-year head Coach Chris Curtin is hoping that the 2024 team will be a year older and a year better.

“Last year, I didn’t have any seniors at all, so that leaves me eight seniors this year,” Curtin said. “I’m excited to see how we grow this year. I have seven returning seniors and one who has never played before.

“We have a lot of individual talent, but the question is, can we come together and play as a team like we’re supposed to?” he said.

“My hope is to have a winning season and my expectation is to finish in the top two (in District 4-AA) and make it to the region.”

The Mavs will begin their 2024 quest Tuesday night (March 19) at Kingston at 6 p.m. They’ll then host Gibbs March 21 in their district opener. Kickoff for that match is also slated for 6 p.m.

Read More

Clinton Dragons embrace 2024 as a rebuilding season

A new soccer season is here and underway for the Clinton High School boys team, and it will be a rebuilding campaign for the Dragons, who won the District 4-AA championship last year.

“We won the district last year, and who would’ve thought we would have done that?” said Gene Chunn, who recently opened his third season as the CHS head coach. “But that;s over now.

“We were lucky enough to get a 1-0 win against Kingston in the district championship game, and I think that was Clinton’s first district championship since 2001.”

The Dragons, who went 12-7-1 and were unbeaten (3-0-1) in district competition last year after getting off to a slow start, have had trouble finding the back of the net in their first two matches, against Rockwood and the Cougars.

Clinton (0-1-1) opened the new season last week. The Dragons played Rockwood to a 2-2 draw on Tuesday, March 5, and suffered a 2-1 loss at the hands of Campbell County Thursday.

“We played pretty well, but we just couldn’t finish,” Chunn said after the Dragons drew against the Tigers.

This season, Clinton will look to improve as the campaign progresses.

Read More

Oak Ridge boys soccer begins season with high hopes

Oak Ridge High School’s boys soccer team opened its season with a loss in Chattanooga Friday night.

But the Wildcats and head Coach Tom Gorman have high hopes for 2024 after finishing second in the District 3-AAA regular-season standings and finishing runners-up to Knoxville’s West High School.

But things will be tough for Oak Ridge, which went 12-4-2 last season, as the Wildcats reside in the toughest Class AAA region (Region 2-AAA) in the Volunteer State.

“We live in the No.1 region in the state, and you can pick your poison, with Bearden (No. 2) in the state), (Hardin Valley Academy, No. 5), West (No. 23), Farragut and Maryville to beat to get to sub-state,” said Gorman, who saw his team fall 3-1 in its season-opener at Baylor.

In District 3-AAA, the Wildcats will likely challenge for the league title. They’ll have to contend with Powell, which has a strong returning squad, and Knoxville Halls, which joins the district after making a state tournament run in Class AA in 2023.

Read More

Fired-up Dragons beat Cougars 16-1

After having its game against Oak Ridge rained out, Clinton High School’s baseball team opened its 2024 season with a 16-1 victory over Campbell County Friday night at Jaycee Park.

The Dragons (1-0) scored single runs in the first and second innings before tallying seven times in both the third and fourth frames in the contest, which was called after five innings due to the TSSAA run rule.

Clinton pitcher Sam Duggins kept the Cougars (0-3) at bay throughout much of the game as he allowed just one run and two hits over four innings.

He struck out eight Campbell County hitters before giving way to reliever Isaiah Slaven, who pitched the fifth after starting the game in right field.

On the mound, he gave up one hit and struck out three.

Slaven also had a hot bat against the Cougars as he went 2-for-4, with a double, a run scored and three RBIs.

The Dragons collected 12 hits in their season-opener, including eight that went for extra bases.

Harrison Shelton came up with a pair of doubles, while Slaven, Dallas Beets, Braden Hensley and Alex Duggins also doubled against the Cougars, who scored their lone run in the fourth.

Garrett Lee and Garrett Davis each had triples in the game for Clinton. Hensley drove in six runs as he went 2-for-3 with two runs.

Jayce Mack, Slaven, Lee and Alex Duggins each had a stolen base against the Cougars.

Hawks drop two games in opening week

Clinton Middle School dropped a pair of baseball games early last week.

The Hawks fell 3-1 to Wartburg Central Middle School on Monday, March 4, and came up on the short end of an 8-6 decision against Oneida on Tuesday, March 5.

In the game against the Bulldogs, Heriberto Tirado and Eric Newport each singled and stole a base.

Tirado followed that performance by going 2-for-2 with a run and two stolen bases for the Hawks against the Indians.

Clinton had two big innings in the game, as it scored twice in the second inning and added four runs in the third.

Senators get 4-0 start to season

Norris Middle School’s baseball team notched three victories last week.

The Senators, who head into spring break with a 4-0 record, routed Norwood Middle School 17-1 Friday at Anderson County High School.

Levi Skeen had a big day at the plate for the Senators as he came up with a home run and a triple.

Reese Yong went 1-for-3, with three runs, a double, two stolen bases and an RBI.

Aiden Walker went 1-for-1with a triple, two runs and two RBIs.

The Senators defeated Lenoir City 22-1 on Thursday.

Young went 2-for-5 with two runs. He also drove in five runs, doubled and stole two bases. Skeen had two hits, three runs, four RBIs and two stolen bases. Conner Dabney had a hit, three runs and a pair of stolen bases. He also recorded an RBI.

Norris opened the week with an 11-2 victory at Lenoir City on Monday, March 4.

Darkness for the Bat ’Cats

ORHS, Eagles end game in tie after lights go out

The 2024 high school baseball season is a bit more than a week old and external forces have already played havoc with Oak Ridge High School.

The Wildcats had their scheduled opener at Clinton rained out Thursday, and when they finally got on the field Friday night, they couldn’t even finish a game.

Oak Ridge wound up opening the season against Gibbs at Steve Hunley Field in Corryton.

The game was contested on a wet and muddy playing surface, making things tough for both teams.

But things only got worse for the Eagles, who qualified for the Class AAA state sectionals after winning the Region 2-AAA Tournament.

The lights went out in the middle of the eighth inning and the game was ended prematurely in a 2-2 tie.

Senior outfielder Izzy Mitchell, who was used as a courtesy runner Friday night, scored both runs and stole three bases for the Wildcats (0-0-1).

The Wildcats had just four hits in the game.

Richie Ferreira had a double, while Peyton Witter, Parker Free and Warren East each collected singles.

Khyren Welch and Witter both appeared on the mound for ORHS. Welch went four innings and surrendered two unearned runs, three hits and one walk. He struck out seven Gibbs hitters.

Witter pitched three innings and surrendered one hit, while striking out four.

Dragons soccer opens with mixed results

Clinton High School’s boys soccer team played its first two matches of the 2024 campaign last week.

The defending District 4-AA Champion Dragons opened the new campaign with a 2-2 draw against Rockwood as Christian Honeycutt and Osmar Vasquez each tallied against the Tigers.

Despite the draw at home on Tuesday, March 5, Clinton’s third-year head Coach Gene Chunn was pleased with his side’s effort.

“We really played well, but we just couldn’t finish,” Chunn said.

The Dragons dropped a 2-1 decision to Campbell County Thursday night.

Vasquez had the lone marker of the game for the Dragons. Julio DeValle was credited with an assist for the Dragons, who will be off for spring break before returning to action on Tuesday, March 19, when they host Cumberland Gap at 6 p.m.

Clinton will entertain Kingston at 7 pm o In District 3-AAA, the Wildcats will likely challenge for the league title. They’ll have to contend with Powell, which has a strong returning squad and Knoxville Halls, which joins the district after making a state tournament run in Class AA in 2023. n Friday, March 22.

CHS, ACHS softball start play at Panama City tournament

Spring is in the air and softball season began for all three local high school teams early this week, while area students were away for spring break.

Clinton and Anderson County both opened their respective 2024 campaigns at the Bash at the Beach in Panama City, Florida. Tournament play opened Monday and continues through Thursday.

The Lady Mavericks host Maryville in their home opener on Monday at 5:30 p.m.. On Tuesday, ACHS hosts Grace Christian Academy at 5:30. The Lady Mavs will be at Coalfield on Thursday,

The Lady Dragons will be at Coalfield Monday before playing Knoxville Halls at home on Wednesday, March 21.

First pitchis scheduled for 6 p.m.



Lady Wildcats begins Gill Era



Oak Ridge starts a new era on the softball diamond this week as Jeremy Gill begins his first season as the Lady Wildcats’ head coach.

Oak Ridge opened its season Tuesday night as it hosted McMinn Central (results were not available at press time).

The Lady Wildcats continue their season-opening homestand Thursday as they host Campbell County in an early season District 3-4A contest. Oak Ridge entertains Lenoir City on Monday and plays Knoxville Halls on Tuesday in another league game.

First pitch for all three games is slated for 6 p.m.

Lady Senators dominate in season opener



Norris Middle School’s softball team opened its 2024 season with a 14-1 victory over Oliver Springs on Monday, March 4.

The Lady Senators put this one away early as they scored five runs in the first inning and added eight more in the second. They plated one last run in the third.

Styla Tindell, Izzy Aulisio and Alice Ogan were the stars at the plate for Norris against the Lady Bobcats.

Tindell went 1-for-1 with a double, four RBIs, two runs and a stolen base, while Aulisio went 1-for-1 with two runs, a pair of RBIs, a double and a stolen base.

Ogan went 2-for-3 with a triple, two runs, a pair of stolen bases in an RBI.

Wildcats fall to Baylor 3-1

Oak Ridge High School’s boys soccer team faced a tough road test to open its 2024 campaign late last week.

The Wildcats came up on the short end of a 3-1 decision to Baylor Friday night in Chattanooga.

ORHS got its lone goal of the match from Mauricio Cabrera-Lozado.

The Wildcats (0-1) will be off this week for spring break.

They will return to action on Tuesday, March 19, when they host Hardin ValleyAcademy.

The Hawks have a new head coach in Ray Dover, who was previously head coach at Farragut, and is a former assistant coach at Knoxville Catholic.

They open their 2024 season at the Smoky Mountain Cup in Gatlinburg on Thursday.

Valero signs with Univ. of the Cumberlands


Anderson County kicker Josh Valero signed a letter of intent to continue his academic and athletic career at the Univer- sity of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky. Valero joins fellow teammates Nick Moog and Zae Hall in making his commitment to play for the Patriots.
Anderson County football player Josh Valero will continue his athletic career and academic pursuits in college.

Valero, a kicker for the Mavericks, recently signed his National Letter of Intent to play at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky.

He chose Cumberlands over Maryville College, and is one of three ACHS seniors headed to Williamsburg for the coming season. Running back Nick Moog and quarterback Zae Hall will also play there next year.

“I only had one offer and that was from Maryville, and I got close to Nick Moog and he told me that he was thinking about going up there,” Valero said. “A few weeks later, I went up there and they made me an offer and I committed right away.

“It’s going to be great to go up there with him and we’re going to room together,” Valero said. “Zae Hall is also going to go up there, and we’re glad that he’s coming. We didn’t know that he was thinking about going up there. He kept it quiet. He’s really a quiet person.”

Valero noted that he will be entering college seeking a career in finance.

He also said that he’s looking forward to attending school and playing close to home.

“I’ll only be 50 miles away from home,” he said. “I wanted to go away to college, but I also wanted to be close enough to home so I could come home and I also wanted my family to get a chance to come to the games and see me play.”

University of the Cumberlands has a small campus with small classes in a small town.

“The facilities are top-notch and the coaches were nice,” he said. “I wanted to be in small classes and get to know my professors. I loved the campus; I couldn’t believe that most of the buildings and the facilities are all brand new.

“I’ve been in Anderson County all my life and I wanted to make a little bit of a change.”

Clark to play for Southwest Virginia CC


Anderson County’s Morgan Clark is joined by family to celebrate the official signing of a letter of intent to continue his academic career and play baseball for Southwest Virgina Community College.
Morgan Clark recently began his senior season with the Anderson County High School baseball team.

But before the 2024 campaign began, he finalized his college plans.

Clark, a first baseman and pitcher for the Mavericks, recently signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Southwest Virginia Community College in Cedar Bluff, Virginia.

He decided that he wanted to play for the team while sitting and watching a practice session.

“The thing that appealed to me was the coaches and the players and the way they handled themselves in practice,” Clark said. “I was able to watch a practice up there and I really liked the way that the coaches and players handled themselves.”

He said that he will study criminal justice and has aspirations to pursue a career in law enforcement.

“I want to be a cop,” Clark said.

He also said that he wanted to stay close by and noted that the small-town atmosphere was appealing.

“I’m about two-and-a-half hours away and I wanted to stay close to home,” Clark said. “You have a great view. You have the field and then you have our living area.

“There’s really not much there. It’s on a hill and you have all the buildings, but you have a good view.”

Clark also said that the small class size at the community college appealed to him.

“I like (the small class size) more,” he said.