Wildcats beat Knox West, move on to region semifinals
Oak Ridge’s Ray’Quan Watson gave his best defensive performance of the season against Knoxville West while also scoring a game-high of 34 points. (photo:Jayden Davis ORHS Sports Media )
“We knew that we were going to have a tough game against a tough team when we started the region,” Green said after the Wildcats notched a 90-75 victory over West Saturday night at Wildcat Arena. “West is a good team.”
The Rebels opened an early lead in the first quarter but once the Wildcats rolling, they closed the opening frame with a flourish and had a 23-12 lead by the time the first quarter came to an end.
West (15-11) received an early offensive boost from junior center Kevin Jack, who scored eight of its 12 first-quarter points and helped the Rebels take an early 8-4 lead before the Wildcats and junior point guard Ray’Quan Watson answered a call.
Watson, who had his best defensive game of the season, scored 12 of his game-high 34 points in the opening frame to help Oak Ridge (25-7) take control of the contest. They never trailed after the 21-4 run helped them open a double-digit lead.
Watson said Green told him that they needed him to step up on the defensive end of the floor.
“He told me that I was going to have my best defensive game,” Watson said. “I think this probably the best defensive game that I ever played.
“He (Green) wanted this to be my best defensive game and it was.”
It was Watson, who provided the biggest offensive punch as he converted several steals into easy transition lay-ups.
And when he wasn’t scoring, he was getting his teammates involved in an offensive attack that generated 90 points against West, which features some of the area’s top players.
Cooper Williams, Oak Ridge’s top post player, finished the contest with 22 points, while senior guard Kaden Brightharp overcame foul trouble to score 13 of his 15 points after halftime.
“I’m proud of our guys. This was a big win for us,” Green said. “Ray Ray played great defense and Cooper had 22, so he had a big game. And Kaden, is a senior, and he made some big shots for us.
In the fourth quarter, the Rebels made a run and pulled to within 67-62 when Dane Britton made a 3-pointer early in the final frame.
But Oak Ridge closed the game with a 23-13 surge and punch its ticket to Tuesday night’s regional semifinal.
The Wildcats played Bearden at William Blount High School in Maryville. Results were not available at press time.