Wildcats’ pre-holiday run ends in heartbreak against host Tornadoes
Cooper Williams (35) had nine points for the Wildcats during Thursday night’s opening round of the Hammer’s Hardwood Classic. Oak Ridge beat Page 63-53. (photo:Tony Cox )
The Wildcats (8-2) reached the championship game of the Alcoa Bracket at the Hammer’s Hardwood Classic on Saturday night, where they faced the host Tornadoes.
The title game in Blount County came down to the final play, with Alcoa (9-3) securing a 69-67 victory on Eli Graf’s buzzer-beating basket.
Alcoa entered with only three losses, all to elite programs —Bearden, Maryville, and Webb School of Knoxville.
Bearden and Maryville are expected to be contenders in District 4-4A alongside Farragut, Hardin Valley Academy, Knoxville West, and William Blount, while Webb aims for a state tournament run in Division II-AA.
Tournament Recap
Oak Ridge advanced to the championship game with a 76-62 semifinal win over A.C. Reynolds, frm North Carolina.
The Wildcats opened tournament play at Wildcat Arena on Thursday night, defeating Nashville’s Page High School 63-53.
Senior point guard Ray Ray Watson led the Wildcats with 19 points, followed by Garrett Giles with 12 and Shamar Greene with 10.
Cooper Williams, a key inside presence for Oak Ridge, added nine points.
Dominant
Performance
Oak Ridge routed Cleveland 80-58 at Wildcat Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
Williams led the way with 20 points, one of five Wildcats to score in double figures.
Watson had 16 points, Giles contributed 14, Greene added 11, and Charlie Taubenheim finished with 10.
Looking Ahead
The Wildcats return to action on Friday, when they face Rossview at Centennial High School in Franklin.
Oak Ridge will look to bounce back and build momentum heading into the second half of the season.
