Oak Ridge Today

Tuesday closings: Anderson, Roane, Clinton schools; Oak Ridge open

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Note: This story was last updated at 8:14 a.m. Feb. 24.

Schools in Clinton and Anderson, Roane, Morgan, Campbell, Scott, and Union counties are among those closed again Tuesday because of the weather.

Anderson County Schools said schools will be closed due to icy conditions on many of the county’s back roads. The Central Office will follow the inclement weather procedure, and principals should report to their schools.

Oak Ridge Schools said they plan to be open. Update: Oak Ridge Schools are also closed Tuesday. Please see newer story here.

“At this point, school will start on time tomorrow, but weather will be monitored during the night,” Oak Ridge education officials said. “We will alert you if there are changes.” [Read more…]

Wildcats advance to district championship with 69-67 comeback in semifinals OT

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Jaylin Henderson and Oak Ridge Wildcats

Senior guard Jaylin Henderson, left, leads the Oak Ridge Wildcats to a 69-67 come-from-behind overtime win over the Powell Panthers in a semifinal tournament game on Monday.

Note: This story was updated at 8:50 a.m.

POWELL—The Oak Ridge Wildcats erased a 17-point Powell lead in a semifinal tournament game on Monday and advanced to the district championship with a buzzer-beating 69-67 come-from-behind overtime win.

The Wildcats, who struggled on defense and with rebounding for much of the game, trailed the Panthers throughout the first three quarters, often by more than 10 points.

But a fired-up Jaylin Henderson came alive in the fourth quarter for the Wildcats, stealing balls on one end and scoring baskets on the other. He tied the game at 63-63 with about 17 seconds left in the fourth quarter.

Senior forward Isaac Merian, who had been relatively quiet for much of the night, scored the winning basket in overtime, picking up a loose ball and banking in an off-the-backboard shot as time expired, giving the Wildcats their 69-67 victory.

Oak Ridge fans exploded with excitement, and Panthers fans left in stunned silence. [Read more…]

Anderson County eliminates Lady Wildcats 42-22; OR boys play Monday

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Anderson County eliminated the Lady Wildcats 42-22 in the second round of the District 3-AAA girls’ basketball tournament on Saturday at Powell.

The Lady Mavericks (16-11) will now play Halls (13-12) in a semifinal game at 4:30 p.m. Monday at Powell.

The Lady Wildcats (8-21) had advanced to the second round after eliminating Clinton 51-37 in a first-round game at Powell on Tuesday. [Read more…]

Lady Wildcats eliminate Clinton 51-37, play AC on Thursday

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The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats eliminated the Clinton Lady Dragon 51-37 in the first round of the District 3 basketball tournament at Powell on Tuesday.

The Clinton girls fell behind early and could not dig themselves out of the hole.

The Lady Wildcats (8-20, 6-10 in District 3) extended their win streak over the Lady Dragons (4-20, 3-13) to 54.

Oak Ridge will next play Anderson County (15-11, 12-3) at 6 p.m. Thursday in Powell.

Relay for Life of Oak Ridge hosts Hoops for Hope on Saturday

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Hoops for Hope

The Relay For Life of Oak Ridge is hosting its first Hoops for Hope 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament on Saturday, Aug. 24, at the Oak Ridge Civic Center. Registration will start at 8 a.m., and the first games will tip off at 8:30 a.m. Registration costs are $60 per team ($20 per participant) and will include a Relay For Life T-shirt.

Divisions include competitive teams, non-completive teams, and women’s categories. At the end of the tournament, there will be a three-point contest. Participants can enter for an additional $5 donation. There will be prizes for the winners. [Read more…]

Defense, team effort propel Wildcats past Sevier County to state tournament

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Jaylin Henderson of the Oak Ridge Wildcats

Jaylin Henderson scores with about two minutes left in the first half, helping to lead the Oak Ridge Wildcats to a 61-45 win over the Sevier County Smoky Bears in a sectional game at Wildcat Arena on Monday.

Defense and a team effort propelled Oak Ridge past the Sevier County Smoky Bears on Monday, sending the Wildcats basketball team to the state tournament for the first time since 2007.

The final score was 61-45.

Oak Ridge (28-5) will find out who they play in Murfreesboro next week during a drawing on Saturday.

[Read more…]