Oak Ridge Today

Softball photos: Oak Ridge vs. Anderson County, Central

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Oak Ridge shortstop Kaitlan Paine (13) trying to catch a Central runner out at third base during an 8-0 loss to the Lady Bobcats at home on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Here are photos from the recent Oak Ridge softball games against Anderson County and Central in Oak Ridge. The Lady Wildcats lost to Anderson County 20-1 on Monday, April 17, and they lost to Central 8-0 on Wednesday, April 19.

We will try to add photo captions as we can. See our most recent softball story on a 14-2 play-in win over Campbell County on Tuesday for a spot in the District 3-AAA tournament that starts at Halls on Wednesday, May 3. [Read more…]

Turnovers, 31 points of Stewart hurt Oak Ridge in state quarterfinal loss

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The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats huddle with Coach Paige Redman during a December 31, 2016, game against Bradley Central in the Andrew Johnson Bank Ladies Classic in Greeneville. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 1:30 p.m.

Turnovers and the 31 points of Memphis Central junior Johne’ Stewart hurt Oak Ridge in a 74-63 quarterfinal loss in the Class AAA girls’ basketball tournament in Murfreesboro on Wednesday.

The season is over for the Lady Wildcats (30-4), who were the state Class AAA runner-up last year.

The Lady Warriors (29-7) move on to a state semifinal game in Murphy Center at Middle Tennessee State University on Friday.

Oak Ridge had 21 turnovers in the quarterfinal, the first of the Class AAA BlueCross Basketball Championships on Wednesday. Memphis Central, a quick team that applied a lot of defensive pressure, scored 23 points off of Oak Ridge turnovers. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge plays Memphis Central in girls’ basketball tournament Wednesday

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2017 Class AAA State Girls' Basketball Tournament Bracket

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats (30-3) will play Memphis Central (28-6) in the first game of the Class AAA State Girls’ Basketball Tournament on Wednesday.

The state quarterfinal game starts at 10 a.m. Central (11 a.m. Eastern) Wednesday in the Murphy Center at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.

The other six teams in the girls’ Class AAA tournament are Morristown West of East Tennessee, Clarksville (northwest of Nashville on the Kentucky border), Stewarts Creek of Smyrna, Dickson County in the Nashville area, Riverdale of Murfreesboro, and Houston of Germantown in the Memphis area.

Riverdale, last year’s Class AAA state girls champion, is back in the state tournament. At 31-0, they are the only undefeated team. Riverdale is the number one-ranked team in the nation by USA Today and MaxPreps, according to the Murfreesboro Daily News Journal.

But Riverdale senior All-American Anastasia Hayes went down with an ankle injury late in a Class AAA sectional against Cumberland County on Saturday. Riverdale Coach Randy Coffman said Hayes has a “few days to nurse it,” according to the Daily News Journal. Hayes is a 5-foot-7 point guard and University of Tennessee signee who was named a Miss Basketball finalist again this year and was named most valuable player of last year’s state tournament. [Read more…]

Photos: Lady Wildcats win Class AAA sectional over Daniel Boone

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Oak Ridge junior point guard Jaymi Golden (32) started the attack against Daniel Boone in the second half of a 61-44 win for the Lady Wildcats in a Class AAA sectional game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, March 4, 2017. Golden is defended here by Daniel Boone sophomore Bayleigh Carmichel (30). (Photo by Luther Simmons)

Oak Ridge junior point guard Jaymi Golden (32) started the attack against Daniel Boone in the second half of a 61-44 win for the Lady Wildcats in a Class AAA sectional game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, March 4, 2017. Golden is defended here by Daniel Boone sophomore Bayleigh Carmichel (30). (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats are going back to the state basketball tournament in Murfreesboro. It’s the second year in a row that the girls have made it to the Class AAA tournament. They made it there this year by beating Daniel Boone 61-44 in a sectional game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday.

Here are photos from the Saturday night game by Luther Simmons. [Read more…]

Lady Wildcats going back to state

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Oak Ridge junior forward Mykia Dowdell (34) shoots the basketball while defended by Daniel Boone sophomore post Sydney Pearce (52) and freshman Jaycie Jenkins (22) during a 61-44 win for the Lady Wildcats in a Class AAA sectional game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, March 4, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

Oak Ridge junior forward Mykia Dowdell (34) shoots the basketball while defended by Daniel Boone sophomore post Sydney Pearce (52) and freshman Jaycie Jenkins (22) during a 61-44 win for the Lady Wildcats in a Class AAA sectional game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, March 4, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 8:30 a.m. March 6.

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats are going back to the state basketball tournament in Murfreesboro. It’s the second year in a row that the girls have made it to the Class AAA tournament. They made it there this year by beating Daniel Boone 61-44 in a sectional game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday.

The girls finished as state runner-up last year.

This year’s state tournament starts Wednesday at Middle Tennessee State University.

Oak Ridge won’t know who it plays until a drawing at 3 p.m. Sunday. Only eight teams compete in the state tournament, starting with quarterfinals on Wednesday and finishing with the championship game on Saturday. [Read more…]

Girls basketball photos: Oak Ridge-Hardin Valley

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Oak Ridge senior Courtney Ellison (10) made three three-point shots during a 71-42 win over Hardin Valley in the Region 2-AAA championship at Wildcat Arena on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. She is defended here by Hardin Valley junior Abbey Cornelius (25). (Photo by Luther Simmons)

Oak Ridge senior Courtney Ellison (10) made three three-point shots during a 71-42 win over Hardin Valley in the Region 2-AAA championship at Wildcat Arena on Wednesday, March 1, 2017. She is defended here by Hardin Valley junior Abbey Cornelius (25). (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats won the Region 2-AAA championship for the second year in a row on Wednesday, crushing Hardin Valley 71-42 in their best overall game. Here are photos by Luther Simmons. [Read more…]

Girls basketball photos: Oak Ridge-William Blount

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Oak Ridge junior Destiny Kassner (30) plays defense during a 48-47 Region 2-AAA semifinal win over William Blount at Wildcat Arena on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

Oak Ridge junior Destiny Kassner (30) plays defense during a 48-47 Region 2-AAA semifinal win over William Blount at Wildcat Arena on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

Two steals, a layup, and a free throw in the final minute helped Oak Ridge beat William Blount by one point, 48-47, in a Region 2-AAA semifinal game that came down to the final few seconds on Monday. Here are photos by Luther Simmons. [Read more…]

Lady Wildcats win close game to advance to Region 2 championship

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Two steals, a layup, and a free throw in the final minute helped Oak Ridge beat William Blount by one point, 48-47, in a Region 2-AAA semifinal game that came down to the final few seconds on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. Pictured above are Oak Ridge juniors Jaymi Golden (32) and Destiny Kassner (30). (Photo by Luther Simmons)

Two steals, a layup, and a free throw in the final minute helped Oak Ridge beat William Blount by one point, 48-47, in a Region 2-AAA semifinal game that came down to the final few seconds on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017. Pictured above are Oak Ridge juniors Jaymi Golden (32) and Destiny Kassner (30). (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

Two steals, a layup, and a free throw in the final minute helped Oak Ridge beat William Blount by one point, 48-47, in a regional semifinal game that came down to the final few seconds on Monday.

The Lady Governors led by two points late in the Region 2-AAA semifinal elimination game, Oak Ridge Coach Paige Redman said. But a steal by Lady Wildcats senior Courtney Ellison led to a tying layup by junior Mykia Dowdell.

Then, another Oak Ridge steal led to a William Blount foul and two free throws by Lady Wildcats sophomore Jada Guinn. She missed the first one but hit the second, Redman said. That gave the Lady Wildcats (28-3) a one-point lead with about half a minute remaining.

With just over two seconds to go, Oak Ridge got the basketball. But the Lady Wildcats turned it over with about 1.3 seconds remaining. When the Lady Governors threw it in, Dowdell knocked it out of bounds. The clock ticked down to 0.3 seconds. That wasn’t enough time for William Blount (21-11) to get the ball in bounds and possibly make a game-winning basket. After being nervous—the Lady Governors led 47-45 with 2:14 remaining—Oak Ridge fans were jubilant.

“Wow!” said Stephanie Thompson, Oak Ridge High School assistant principal. “What a win for the Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats!” [Read more…]

Photos: AJ Cucksey visits Oak Ridge

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AJ Cucksey is pictured above with the Oak Ridge Wildcats basketball team during a 68-38 win over West in a Region 2-AAA quarterfinal game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Wildcats Basketball)

AJ Cucksey is pictured above with the Oak Ridge Wildcats basketball team during a 68-38 win over West in a Region 2-AAA quarterfinal game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. (Photo courtesy Oak Ridge Wildcats Basketball)

 

AJ Cucksey, a six-year-old cancer survivor, met two of Oak Ridge’s best athletes—junior Destiny Kassner and senior Tee Higgins, both basketball players—during Region 2-AAA quarterfinal games at Wildcat Arena this past weekend.

AJ was at the Friday night game, when Destiny helped the Lady Wildcats beat Bearden in a regional tournament quarterfinal. He was back again on Saturday, when Tee helped the Wildcats in a win over West, also in a quarterfinal game.

Here are photos from AJ at the basketball games, and before. [Read more…]

Young cancer survivor meets with Destiny, gets a dunk from Tee

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AJ Cucksey, a six-year-old cancer survivor and kindergarten student at Farragut Primary, sits on the Oak Ridge Wildcats sideline next to senior Tee Higgins (5), who dunked for AJ during a 68-38 win over West during a Region 2-AAA quarterfinal game at Wildcats Arena on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

AJ Cucksey, a six-year-old cancer survivor and kindergarten student at Farragut Primary, sits on the Oak Ridge Wildcats bench next to senior Tee Higgins (5), who dunked for AJ during a 68-38 win over West during a Region 2-AAA quarterfinal game at Wildcat Arena on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.

 

He’s already performed “Rocky Top” for Peyton Manning and become friends with Joshua Dobbs and his family.

Now six-year-old cancer survivor AJ Cucksey, who has seven inoperable brain tumors, has met two of Oak Ridge’s best athletes: junior Destiny Kassner and senior Tee Higgins, both basketball players.

AJ was at the Friday night game, when Destiny helped the Lady Wildcats beat Bearden in a regional tournament quarterfinal. He was back again on Saturday, when Tee helped the Wildcats in a win over West, also in a quarterfinal game.

AJ, a kindergarten student at Farragut Primary School in Farragut, met Destiny and Tee on Friday, and he sat on the bench next to Tee on Saturday. Tee, who spent time talking to AJ, dunked for him.

AJ, a football fan, was asked what he thought about meeting Tee, a top football recruit who has been named a Mr. Football finalist in Tennessee for the second year in a row.

“Cool,” AJ said. [Read more…]

Girls basketball photos: Oak Ridge-Bearden

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Pictured above are the top two scorers in the Region 2-AAA quarterfinal elimination game at Wildcat Arena on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. Oak Ridge sophomore Jada Guinn (24) scored a game high and career high 32 points for the Lady Wildcats in a 62-56 win over Bearden, and Lady Bulldogs junior Trinity Lee (2) scored 25. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

Pictured above are the top two scorers in the Region 2-AAA quarterfinal elimination game at Wildcat Arena on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. Oak Ridge sophomore Jada Guinn (24) scored a game high and career high 32 points for the Lady Wildcats in a 62-56 win over Bearden, and Lady Bulldogs junior Trinity Lee (2) scored 25. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats eliminated Bearden 62-56 in a Region 2-AAA quarterfinal game at home on Friday, despite a high-scoring second-half rally by the Lady Bulldogs. Here are photos by Luther Simmons. [Read more…]

Oak Ridge eliminates Bearden, despite second-half rally by Lady Bulldogs

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Oak Ridge juniors Jaymi Golden (32), left, and Desiree Bates (20), center, play defense against Bearden junior Trinity Lee (2), who led the Lady Bulldogs with 25 points, in a 62-56 loss to the Lady Wildcats in a Region 2-AAA quarterfinal game at Wildcat Arena on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

Oak Ridge juniors Jaymi Golden (32), left, and Desiree Bates (20), center, play defense against Bearden junior Trinity Lee (2), who led the Lady Bulldogs with 25 points in a 62-56 loss to the Lady Wildcats in a Region 2-AAA quarterfinal game at Wildcat Arena on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

The Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats eliminated Bearden 62-56 in a Region 2-AAA quarterfinal game at home on Friday, despite a high-scoring second-half rally by the Lady Bulldogs.

After scoring only 15 points in the first half, the Bearden girls scored 41 in the second, narrowing an Oak Ridge lead of 24 points in the third quarter to three points late in the fourth.

“It was a fun ball game,” Oak Ridge Coach Paige Redman said. “They did not back down. They did not quit…They went on a great run. We managed to contain it.”

Bearden (24-4) struggled to make three-point shots in the first three quarters. They made only two, both by junior Trinity Lee. That changed in the fourth quarter, when Lee hit four. She led the Lady Bulldogs with 25 points and had 17 of Bearden’s 27 points in the final quarter. She had all six of Bearden’s three-point shots.

Oak Ridge (27-3) was led by sophomore guard Jada Guinn with 32 points, a game high and career high. Like Lee, Guinn also made six three-point shots. She knocked down four in the second quarter alone. [Read more…]