ORHS teams defeat Powell at home

Carmen Roberts, Oakridger
·2 min read
Oak Ridge's Semaj Clark (11) gets an open shot during the girls high school basketball game between the Oak Ridge Wildcats and Powell Panthers in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on Friday, January 21, 2022.
Oak Ridge's Semaj Clark (11) gets an open shot during the girls high school basketball game between the Oak Ridge Wildcats and Powell Panthers in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on Friday, January 21, 2022.

Lady Wildcats overwhelm Powell

The Lady Wildcats took care of business at home against Powell on Friday, Jan. 21. Oak Ridge took control of the game early, scoring 5 for 7 from beyond the 3-point line, and never let up.

Oak Ridge defeated Powell to move into a tie for first place in the District 3 standings. The Lady Wildcats won 69-55. Powell falls to 15-3 and 4-1 in the district.

"With a lot riding on this game, our girls played as a team and moved the ball around well," Lady Wildcats head basketball coach Paige Taylor said. "We had 13 assists at halftime, which is usually the count for the entire game."

Oak Ridge's Jenna Johnson (34) shoots while guarded by Oak Ridge's Cassidy Hill (1) in the girls high school basketball game between the Oak Ridge Wildcats and Powell Panthers in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on Friday, January 21, 2022.
Oak Ridge's Jenna Johnson (34) shoots while guarded by Oak Ridge's Cassidy Hill (1) in the girls high school basketball game between the Oak Ridge Wildcats and Powell Panthers in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on Friday, January 21, 2022.

"I am proud of the way our girls spoke for themselves tonight. With the way that they played as a team, they can walk off any court with pride," Taylor said. "We are taking one game at a time and battling for a seat in our division. We will continue to work hard and do our best no matter who our opponent is."

Oak Ridge led 28-16 at the end of the first quarter and went into halftime leading 43 to 22. The Lady 'Cats maintained the lead the entire game by moving the ball around and with unselfish play from the entire team.

Oak Ridge came into this game on a three-game winning streak and have evened their season record at 9-8 with this win. The Lady Wildcats are 4-1 in District 3 play and is now in a tie for first-place with Powell.

Oak Ridge's Darren Osborne (1) goes to the basket over Powell's Bryce Jardret (24) in the boys high school basketball game between the Oak Ridge Wildcats and Powell Panthers in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on Friday, January 21, 2022.
Oak Ridge's Darren Osborne (1) goes to the basket over Powell's Bryce Jardret (24) in the boys high school basketball game between the Oak Ridge Wildcats and Powell Panthers in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on Friday, January 21, 2022.

Oak Ridge Wildcats pull one out

Oak Ridge got off to a quick lead against Powell on Friday, Jan. 21, in Wildcat Arena, with 26-points, most of which came from 14 first-quarter points from Lucas Searcy.

Oak Ridge came into this game as the only undefeated team in District 3 play, one game behind next week's opponent West.

The Wildcats didn't play well in the second quarter and dwindled the big lead to 37-36 to end the half.

The game was back and forth, but Oak Ridge managed to hold onto a 58-56 lead over Powell after three quarters. Oak Ridge moves to 5-0 in the district and 14-3 overall with the 81-70 win Friday night over Powell.

Oak Ridge's Kell Slater (11) gets to the loose ball before Powell's Bryce Jardret (24) in the boys high school basketball game between the Oak Ridge Wildcats and Powell Panthers in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on Friday, January 21, 2022.
Oak Ridge's Kell Slater (11) gets to the loose ball before Powell's Bryce Jardret (24) in the boys high school basketball game between the Oak Ridge Wildcats and Powell Panthers in Oak Ridge, Tenn. on Friday, January 21, 2022.

"We didn't play well, but I am proud of our guys for finding a way to win," Oak Ridge Boys basketball head coach Aaron Green said. "I would rather play bad and win than play good and lose."

Green added that he thought the pivotal point in the game was when Oak Ridge was up by 3 points late in the game and senior Kell Slater went down on the floor to get a key possession.

Oak Ridge will play West on Tuesday, Jan. 25, at West High School.

Carmen Roberts is a reporter for The Oak Ridger and can be contacted by calling (865) 719-0978 or email at croberts@oakridger.com.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: ORHS teams defeat Powell at home