Lady Wildcats lock down on defense, clinch 10th straight district title
For the 10th-consecutive year, the Oak Ridge High School girls basketball team has won a regular-season district championship.
The Lady Wildcats (19-3, 10-0 District 3-4A) clinched the title in their final regular-season league game, using a dominant second half to secure a 61-40 victory over Campbell County on Friday night at Wildcat Arena.
Oak Ridge has not lost to a district opponent in three years.
Despite the lopsided final score, the Lady Cougars (18-4, 8-2) led 16-11 after the first quarter.
Oak Ridge responded, tying the game at 23-23 by halftime.
The Lady Wildcats’ defense took over in the second half, allowing just 17 points after the break.
Ayana Porter led all scorers with 24 points, including 16 in the first half. She knocked down five 3-pointers before the break.
Jenna Johnson and Lindsay Cleveland finished with eight points each, while Jenayah Pippins added seven and Ze’Yana Stewart had six.
Oak Ridge began its homestand last week with a 51-26 district win over Powell on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at Wildcat Arena.
Euleesha Mitchell led all scorers with 19 points against the Lady Panthers, while Stewart added 13 and Johnson finished with seven.
The difference this week for the Lady Wildcats, who continued their dominance in District 3-4A, was their defense.
Oak Ridge has held all regular-season opponents under 50 points this year.
The Lady Wildcats faced Walker Valley on Monday night, but results were not available at press time.
Oak Ridge visits Alcoa on Friday. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
