Oak Ridge Today

Playing for team, Middleton scores 18, rebounds 15 in blowout over Central

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Playing for his team, senior post Darel Middleton (33) had one of his best games as an Oak Ridge Wildcat, scoring 18 points and picking up 15 rebounds during a 94-66 win over Central on Friday, Dec. 4, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 11:30 p.m.

Playing for his team, senior Darel Middleton had one of his best games as an Oak Ridge Wildcat, scoring 18 points and picking up 15 rebounds during a 94-66 win over Central on Friday.

It was the most memorable performance by Middleton, a 6-foot-6 post, since he scored 14 points and pulled down 10 rebounds against Memphis East in the state quarterfinal game in March.

“I just felt like I owed my team,” said Middleton, who said he’s gotten into a little trouble this year. “I gave them my all tonight and from now on.”

Oak Ridge Coach Aaron Green said Middleton is playing a lot harder this year than he did last year.

“He played well,” Green said. “He’s been playing well.” [Read more…]

Lady Wildcats lose lead in final seconds, falling to Farragut 32-31

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Oak Ridge sophmore Mykia Dowdell (34) led the Lady Wildcats with a game-high 16 points in a 32-31 loss to Farragut at Wildcat Arena on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Oak Ridge had the basketball and a one-point lead with 13.4 seconds to go. But the Lady Wildcats struggled to get the ball inbounds in their own end, and Farragut regained possession on a jump ball. The Lady Admirals quickly scored on a layup by senior Miranda Burt to take a one-point lead with about six seconds left.

Oak Ridge was unable to score again, and the Lady Wildcats lost to the Lady Admirals 32-31 at Wildcat Arena on Thursday. It’s the second loss to Farragut in the past two weeks. But this game was closer than the earlier match on Monday, November 23, when Oak Ridge fell to the Lady Admirals 52-39.

The Lady Wildcats (3-2, 1-0 District 3-AAA) had six turnovers in the first quarter on Thursday but were only behind by two, 7-5, after a low-scoring first quarter. The Wildcats came back in the second quarter and took a 16-11 halftime lead. [Read more…]

Higgins, only the second Mr. Football from OR, on Ch. 12 Locker Room tonight

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Some of the winners of the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football awards for 16 backs and linemen in eight classifications of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association are pictured above at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Nov. 30, 2015. Oak Ridge junior Tee Higgins is wearing a Tennessee Titans jersey with the number 5 on it. (Photo by Martin McDonald)

 

Note: This story was updated at 8:25 p.m.

Tee Higgins, who is only the second Mr. Football from Oak Ridge, will be on The Locker Room Chat on BBB-TV, Comcast Channel 12, at 7 p.m. today (Wednesday, December 2).

Higgins, a 6-foot-5 junior at Oak Ridge High School who plays football and basketball, won a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football award during a luncheon at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Monday. He was named Back of the Year in Class 5A.

There have been other Mr. Football finalists from Oak Ridge, but only won other player has won the award. Greg Woofter won the Lineman award in 1998, according to broadcaster David Clary of Prepradio.com.

The last finalist that didn’t win was Spencer Gulmire in 2005, Clary said. [Read more…]

Five Wildcats score 10 or more in 85-51 win over Clinton

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Oak Ridge junior Tajion Jones (3) led the Wildcats with 22 points in an 85-51 win over Clinton at Wildcat Arena on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Five Wildcats scored 10 points or more as Oak Ridge beat Clinton 85-51 in the first district game of the basketball season on Tuesday.

The Wildcats (8-0, 1-0 District 3-AAA) were led by junior Tajion Jones, who scored 22 points, including on four three-pointers. Jones also had three rebounds.

Junior Tee Higgins, who was named most valuable player in a basketball tournament in the Bahamas on Thanksgiving weekend and was named Mr. Football in Class 5A in Tennessee two days later, on Monday, finished with 16 points. Higgins knocked down three three-pointers in the third quarter, and he also had five rebounds and six assists.

Oak Ridge hit nine three-point shots, compared to one for Clinton. That’s a difference of 24 points. [Read more…]

Higgins wins Mr. Football award in Class 5A

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Oak Ridge High School junior Tee Higgins, second from left, was named Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Back of the Year in Class 5A during a luncheon at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Monday, Nov. 30, 2015. Higgins is pictured above with ORHS Athletic Director Mike Mullins, left, and Wildcats Coach Joe Gaddis and Receivers Coach Kwayu Graham. (Photo by Martin McDonald)

 

Note: This story was updated at 3:30 p.m.

Oak Ridge junior Tee Higgins won a Tennessee Titans Mr. Football award during a luncheon at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Monday. Higgins was named Back of the Year in Class 5A.

The other Class 5A Back of the Year finalist was Nate Johnson of Independence High School, which is coached by former Oak Ridge Coach Scott Blade. The Wildcats are now coached by Joe Gaddis.

Higgins is a wide receiver, punt returner, and defensive back, and a star playmaker for the Wildcats. He had 46 catches for 841 yards and 16 touchdowns this season. He also had a punt return and an interception for a touchdown, and another interception and some big punt and kickoff returns.

Higgins, who has committed to the University of Tennessee, also plays basketball, and he was named the most valuable player at the 17th Annual Tabernacle Baptist Christian Academy Thanksgiving Basketball Tournament last week. [Read more…]

Wildcats win Tabernacle Baptist Thanksgiving championship in Bahamas

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The Oak Ridge Wildcats, pictured above with their coaches, won the Tabernacle Baptist Thanksgiving championship game in the Bahamas on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2015, beating the home team, St. Georges Jaguars, 69-54. (Photo courtesy Paige Green)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 11:05 a.m.

During their second trip to the Bahamas, the Oak Ridge Wildcats won the Tabernacle Baptist Thanksgiving Tournament championship game on Saturday, beating the home team, St. Georges Jaguars, 69-54.

It was the first championship for the Wildcats in the tournament. The boys basketball team also played in the Tabernacle Christian Academy Invitational Tournament in 2013, when they finished 3-2, said broadcaster David Clary of Prepradio.com.

This year, the Wildcats finished 5-0 in the Bahamas.

Junior Tee Higgins was named the most valuable player of the tournament. Higgins drilled four three-pointers and finished with 25 points, according to Grandbahamasports.com. [Read more…]

Three Wildcats, Thackerson named to East-West All-Stars roster

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Oak Ridge Alex Alcorn and Soddy Daisy Justin Cooke Nov. 5, 2015

Oak Ridge senior defensive end Alex Alcorn (66) pursues Soddy Daisy junior quarterback Justin Cooke during a 45-33 win for the Wildcats in a first-round Class 5A playoff game on Blankenship Field on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Three Oak Ridge Wildcats and players from Clinton, Karns, Farragut, and Sevier County have been named to the East All-Stars roster for the 2015 Toyota East vs. West Tennessee All-Star Classic.

The Oak Ridge players are Alex Alcorn (offensive guard), Davon Middleton (cornerback), and Brandon Nickle (kicker).

Tyler Thackerson of Clinton and Deuce Wallace of Sevier County were named quarterbacks for the East.

The game is for seniors only. [Read more…]

Higgins one of two Mr. Football finalists for Class 5A Back of the Year

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Wildcats Tee Higgins Catch at Ooltewah Nov. 13, 2015

Oak Ridge junior Tee Higgins (5) is one of two finalists for Class 5A Back of the Year in the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards. The awards will be presented on Monday, November 30, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Above, Higgins makes a catch at Ooltewah in a second-round Class 5A playoff game on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Oak Ridge junior Tee Higgins is one of two finalists for Back of the Year in Class 5A in the Tennessee Titans Mr. Football Awards.

Higgins, who has committed to the University of Tennessee, is a wide receiver who has also played at defensive back and punt returner this year. Higgins also plays basketball for Oak Ridge High School.

The other finalist in Division I Class 5A is Nate Johnson of Independence High School.

The Mr. Football Awards will be presented to the top 16 backs and linemen in eight classifications of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association on Monday, November 30, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The top kicker in the state will be recognized with a Mr. Football Award, regardless of classification.

Four semifinalists for each category and each classification were announced on November 5. There are six classifications in Division I and two in Division II. [Read more…]

Welsh named to 2015 All-State soccer team; Hardin Valley, Farragut players also named

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Hardin Valley Paige Hewitt and Lady Wildcats Katie Welsh Sept. 23, 2015

Oak Ridge senior defender Katie Welsh (5) was named to the 2015 AAA All-State Team. Above, Welsh defends against junior Paige Hewitt (14) of Hardin Valley on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Oak Ridge senior defender Katie Welsh has been named to the 2015 AAA All-State Team in soccer.

The All-State team was selected by the Tennessee High School Soccer Coaches Association.

Four players from Hardin Valley and Farragut were also named to the team: senior midfielder Gabby Powers of Hardin Valley, senior defenders Dominique Rowe and Kelsey Klett of Hardin Valley, and junior defender Grace Sommi of Farragut.

Hardin Valley Gabby Powers and Lady Wildcats Kate Hausladen Sept. 23, 2015

Hardin Valley senior midfielder Gabby Powers (17) of Hardin Valley was named to the 2015 AAA All-State Team. Above, Powers battles freshman Kate Hausladen (20) of Oak Ridge on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

[Read more…]

Higgins hits four three-pointers as Wildcats start 2-0

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Oak Ridge senior guard Geevantay Gee (12) drives to the basket during a 93-61 win over CAK at home on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 11:55 p.m.

Junior Tee Higgins hit four three-point shots on Thursday as the Oak Ridge Wildcats—both the boys and girls teams—started the regular season 2-0 with wins over Grace Christian on Tuesday and Christian Academy of Knoxville on Thursday.

The girls beat CAK 64-42 at home on Thursday, and the boys won 93-61.

The boys had 12 players scoring on Tuesday. They had 10 scoring on Wednesday.

They hit 10 three-point shots on Tuesday. They had nine more on Thursday.

“That’s not a fluke,” Oak Ridge Coach Aaron Green said. Four different players hit three-point shots: Higgins had four, all in the first half; juniors Tajion Jones and Deandre Gibson each had two; and senior Javien Johnson had one. [Read more…]

Wildcats open basketball season with wins over Grace

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Oak Ridge Wildcats Boys Basketball Team Nov. 17, 2015

Members of the Oak Ridge Wildcats boys basketball team are pictured above during an 87-67 season-opening win over Grace Christian at home on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2015. From left are juniors Tyshawn Young (15), Tajion Jones (3), and E.J. Bush (2); seniors Geevantay Gee (12) and Javien Johnson (11); junior Deandre Gibson (10); and senior Darel Middleton (33), who did not play Tuesday. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 12:15 p.m.

The Oak Ridge Wildcats boys and girls basketball teams opened the regular season with wins over Grace Christian on Tuesday.

The boys won 87-67, and the girls won 39-27. It was the first game for new coach Paige Green, who replaced former girls coach David Scott in June. Paige Green is married to Aaron Green, the boys basketball coach.

The Oak Ridge teams play at home again tonight (Thursday, November 19) against the Christian Academy of Knoxville (CAK). The girls game starts at 6 p.m., and the boys game begins at 7:30. [Read more…]

Football stats: Oak Ridge and Ooltewah

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Oak Ridge freshman Jordan Graham (30) ran for 69 yards on 11 carries in a 26-17 loss at Ooltewah in a second-round Class 5A playoff game on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Oak Ridge lost to Ooltewah, 26-17, in a second-round Class 5A playoff game in Ooltewah on Friday. Here are preliminary stats by Mark Haste.

The Wildcats gained a few more total yards than the Owls, ending with 294 compared to 285. Oak Ridge also had 16 first downs, compared to 10 for Ooltewah.

But mistakes, missed opportunities, and turnovers hurt Oak Ridge in the first quarter, when Ooltewah breezed to a 17-0 lead in the first 11 minutes. Oak Ridge rallied to close the gap to 20-17 late in the third quarter, even after they lost star playmaker Tee Higgins to a knee injury. But it wasn’t enough as Ooltewah scored again in the fourth quarter, and a final Wildcats drive ended with an interception. [Read more…]