’Cats open district tourney play on Friday
Oak Ridge’s Kaden Brightharp scored 12 points in the Wildcats game against Fulton on Saturday night. (photo:Barry Houchin )
The Wildcats also captured the District 3-4A regular-season championship.
They will have an opening-round bye in the upcoming district tournament, which will be held this week at Knox Central High School. Oak Ridge (21-7 overall, 9-1 in the district) has also qualified for the Region 2-4A tournament.
The Wildcats, who had one more regular-season game remaining against Alcoa at home Tuesday, will open postseason play on Friday at 6 p.m. in the district tournament semifinals.
Oak Ridge closed out last week with a 58-56 loss to defending Class AAA state champion Fulton Saturday night at Wildcat Arena. The Wildcats, who trailed, 30-19, at halftime, got 22 points from Cooper Williams. Kaden Brightharp added 12 and Ray’Quan Watson finished with nine.
On Thursday, the Wildcats closed out district play with a 69-52 win over the Powell Panthers a home.
Oak Ridge had four players post double figures in scoring, with Watson leading the way with 19 points. Brightharp and Williams chipped in with 13 apiece, while Garrett Giles had 11.
The Wildcats opened the week on Monday, Feb. 5, with an 81-42 victory over Knox Central. Williams had 19 points against the Bobcats in Fountain City. Watson added 15 and Brightharp finished with 10.
District tournament seeds: The top-seeded Wildcats and No. 2 Karns have opening-round byes. Powell is No. 3, followed by Central, Halls and Campbell County.