Lady Wildcats’ season ends in thriller
Oak Ridge High School’s girls basketball team saw its 2024-25 season end in heartbreaking fashion last week in the Class 4A state tournament quarterfinals.
The Lady Wildcats, who entered the tournament at Middle Tennessee State University’s Murphy Center riding a 20-game winning streak, had their run snapped with a 52-50 loss to Bartlett on Thursday night.
Oak Ridge (30-4) had a magical season, sweeping through its District 3-4A regular-season schedule.
The Lady Wildcats also won the district tournament for the 10th-consecutive year, claimed the Region 2-4A title, and edged Sevier County in the state sectionals after rallying from a deficit against the Bearettes.
But all good things come to an end, and the Lady Wildcats bid farewell to one of the most battle-tested and successful senior classes in program history.
Oak Ridge led 22-15 after the first quarter, but its offense went cold in the second, managing just six points.
Bartlett capitalized, trimming four points off its deficit to trail 28-25 at halftime.
The Lady Wildcats outscored the Lady Panthers in the third quarter and carried a 43-35 lead into the fourth.
Oak Ridge had a late lead, but Bartlett stormed back, sealing the win with a pair of clutch baskets off inbounds lob plays in the final two minutes.
The Lady Panthers (24-11) closed the game on a 17-7 run.
Ze’Yana Stewart wrapped up her high school career with a strong performance, scoring 15 points, grabbing eight rebounds, and collecting four steals.
Euleesha Mitchell added 14 points and three rebounds, while Ayana Porter contributed 12 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
Even in defeat, ORHS Coach Paige Taylor praised her team’s resilience.
“This team, they’re fighters; they never quit,” Taylor said. “They kept fighting. They never gave up. They fought until the end.”
