Wildcats rally past Dragons in rivalry win
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Clinton’s Camden Nelson looks for an opening as Oak Ridge’s Eli Peters applies tight defense during Friday night’s rivalry matchup at the Donnie Dome. - Tony Cox
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Clinton Dragons cheerleaders stand at attention during the National Anthem before Friday night’s Clinton and Oak Ridge rivalry game at the Donnie Dome. - Tony Cox
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Clinton’s Bryson Maddox draws a foul while shooting a short jumpshot during Friday night’s game against the Oak Ridge Wildcats. - Tony Cox
Longtime rivals Clinton and Oak Ridge renewed their rivalry on the hardwood Friday night.
And while the game didn’t earn many style points, at least offensively, it was another classic between the two teams. In fact, it was a defensive struggle.
When the dust had settled, the Wildcats manufactured enough offense to nab a 51-46 win in a key non-district game.
While Oak Ridge (4-3) made enough big plays down the stretch to escape with the narrow hard-fought victory, the Dragons (6-4) grabbed the upper hand early, opening a slim 10-9 lead by the end of the first quarter.
By halftime, Clinton held a 27-20 at halftime.
“I don’t think we played very well, especially offensively,” Oak Ridge Coach Aaron Green said. “But Clinton had a lot to do with that.
“In the second half, we played a lot better offensively, and we made a few big shots.”
In the third quarter, Clinton’s offense went cold as the Dragons scored just eight points in the frame. Further complicating things for Clinton was their ineffectiveness at the free throw line, a problem that also plagued the Dragons not only on Friday, but also in their 47-38 win over Austin-East on Tuesday, Dec. 9, inside the friendly confines of the Don W. Lockard Gymnasium.
“We just couldn’t hit shots and we missed nine free throws against Oak Ridge,” Clinton Coach Chris Lockard said. “We had good looks, but we missed big shots and we didn’t make the big plays and they did.
“To win, you have to make the big plays. When I went on the radio (after the game), they commended our effort and I told them that in our program, that effort is not an option. If you don’t put forth effort then you don’t play.”
Oak Ridge, despite its early offensive struggles, had three players post double figures in the scoring column.
Ja’Rell Jemerson scored 14 points for the Wildcats. Charlie Taubenheim added 13, and Justice West had 11. Ethan Jones finished with nine points.
“In the second half, we got some big shots from Ja’Rell Jemerson, Charlie and Ethan James,” Green said.
Bryson Maddox and Tristan Lundy each scored 11 points for the Dragons, who earned a win over Austin-East despite missing 16 free throws against the Roadrunners.
Maddox scored 13 points against the Roadrunners, while Jaxson Alcorn and Lundy scored 12 points each.
Oak Ridge also won earlier in the week, claiming a 70-67 win at home against Farragut as Taubenheim scored 33 points.