It’s never too early for Wildcat hoops
Early summer sessions give a glimpse of what Oak Ridge will have when fall rolls around
Early preparation for the 2023-24 basketball season began recently for the Oak Ridge High School team.
The Wildcats varsity boys played four games in three days from Saturday to Monday.
On Monday, the Wildcats traveled to Maryville College and recorded a pair of victories as they defeated Gatlinburg-Pittman, 60-51, and outlasted Austin-East, 52-45.
On Saturday, Oak Ridge routed Sevier County, 67-43, and lost a close game to Stone Memorial at Webb School of Knoxville.
“I don’t remember the scores; I really don’t,” Oak Ridge Coach Aaron Green said. “These summer games are like practices for us.
“I know we beat Sevier County by 25 points or so, and I know we lost to Stone Memorial in a close one.”
The Wildcats will have several returning starters from last season, but they’ll also have a crop of newcomers joining the fray and looking to make an impact on a team that reached the Region 2-4A semifinals.
“We have a lot of people back but we’re going to be a little bigger than we were last year,” Green said. “We’re also going to have some new guys and we’re doing some different things both offensively and defensively because of our length.
“In these summer games, you’re just trying to evaluate talent and figure out what you have. We’re also giving everybody a chance to play. Hopefully, by the fall we’ll know what we have.”