Oak Ridge senior Tajion Jones (3) scored 32 points as the Wildcats topped 100 points during a 108-56 win over Halls at Wildcat Arena on Monday, Nov. 23, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)
Oak Ridge topped 100 points and senior Tajion Jones scored 32 as the Wildcats beat Halls 108-56 at home on Monday. It was the fifth-highest point total for an Oak Ridge game in program history, according to broadcaster David Clary. The record of 137 was set in 1971.
It was an apparent career high for Jones. Eighteen of his points came from six three-point shots, and he had 24 points in the first half alone.
“He’s shooting well,” Oak Ridge Coach Aaron Green said.
Senior Tyshawn Young, who has had some high-scoring games in the past month, added 27 points, and senior Anthony Gibson had 17.
The seniors racked up all those points in the first three quarters, before reserves came in for Oak Ridge. Bench players added 21 points in the fourth quarter. That included three three-point shots by sophomore Joe Kesterson.
Halls had two players in double digits, junior Jordan Corvette with 17 points and junior Cooper Watson with 10.
The Wildcats (19-2) remain undefeated in the district at 12-0 in District 3-AAA. Karns (16-3, 10-2) has two district losses, and Powell (16-5, 9-3 has three).
The Halls Red Devils fell to 9-12 overall and 5-6 in the district.
The Monday night game was a makeup game. The game had been rescheduled due to winter weather earlier this month.
Green cited the shooting of Jones, the inside play by Young, and the good shots by Gibson, and he added that senior Tee Higgins, who had two powerful dunks Monday, is an inside and outside threat. Junior Levert Smith had several long, fast passes to Young that led to baskets by Young, who also had a few dunks, in the first half. Those passes resembled football throws.
Green said the Wildcats played unselfishly. Smith, a point guard, had 10 assists, with nine by halftime.
“Offensively, we’re playing well,” Green said.
Smith is averaging about seven to eight assists per game, Green said.
“Him and Tyshawn are the ‘X factors’ this year,” Green said.
Oak Ridge’s Marcus Smith had five assists in the second half.
Oak Ridge averaged about 97 points per game between the January 3 game at home against Karns and the Monday night game against Halls.
But the Wildcats won’t always have great shooting nights, so they have to also be able to rebound and defend well, Green said.
After the Monday night game, the Wildcats played Tuesday at Anderson County and won 73-40. It was the second time the two teams met this season. Oak Ridge won the first game 84-34 on December 9.
The Wildcats will play Gibbs for the second time this year at home on Friday. Oak Ridge won the earlier meeting 91-55 at Gibbs (4-17, 1-10) on December 13.
More information will be added as it becomes available.
See photos and videos from the game here.
Oak Ridge senior Tyshawn Young (4) scored 27 points as the Wildcats topped 100 points during a 108-56 win over Halls at Wildcat Arena on Monday, Nov. 23, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)
Oak Ridge sophomore Joe Kesterson (12) came in off the bench and hit three three-point shots in the fourth quarter during a 108-56 win over Halls at Wildcat Arena on Monday, Nov. 23, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)
Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins (5) had two powerful dunks, including this one in the second half, during a 108-56 win over Halls at Wildcat Arena on Monday, Nov. 23, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)
Oak Ridge senior Anthony Gibson (23) scored 17 points during a 108-56 win over Halls at Wildcat Arena on Monday, Nov. 23, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)
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