• About
    • About Us
    • What We Cover
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Our Advertisers
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Send News
  • Subscribe

Oak Ridge Today

  • Home
  • Sign in
  • News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Police and Fire
    • U.S. Department of Energy
    • Weather
  • Sports
    • High School
    • Middle School
    • Recreation
    • Rowing
    • Youth
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Dancing
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Premium Content
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds




Bengals pick Higgins in NFL draft

Posted at 11:44 pm April 27, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Wildcats Tee Higgins Catch at Ooltewah Nov. 13, 2015
Tee Higgins, who was then a junior at Oak Ridge, makes a catch during a 26-17 loss at Ooltewah in a second-round Class 5A playoff game on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (Photo by Julio Culiat)

The Cincinnati Bengals picked former Oak Ridge wide receiver Tee Higgins in the second round of the NFL draft on Friday.

Higgins, a star football and basketball player at Oak Ridge High School, played three years at Clemson University in South Carolina before being drafted into the National Football League in the 33rd pick, the first pick of the second round on Friday.

Higgins, 21, joins Joe Burrow, the number one pick and a quarterback from Louisiana State University, at Cincinnati. Higgins was the second pick for the Bengals.

Higgins (6-4, 215) is tied with NFL stars Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins for the all-time touchdown record for a Clemson receiver (27). He caught 135 passes for 2,448 yards and 27 touchdowns during his three-year career, according to the Clemson Tigers. He played in two national championship games, winning one, the national championship game against Alabama in 2019. Higgins had three catches for 81 yards and a touchdown in that game.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Front Page News, High School, Pro, Slider, Sports, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Cincinnati Bengals, Clemson, Joe Burrow, NFL draft, Tee Higgins

Higgins will enter 2020 NFL draft

Posted at 5:04 pm January 21, 2020
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Wildcats Tee Higgins Catch at Ooltewah Nov. 13, 2015
Before he was injured, Oak Ridge junior Tee Higgins (5) makes a catch during a 26-17 loss at Ooltewah in a second-round Class 5A playoff game on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (File photo by Julio Culiat)

Tee Higgins, a former star wide receiver for the Oak Ridge Wildcats who won a college football championship at Clemson University, announced this month that he will enter the 2020 NFL draft.

Higgins announced his decision on Twitter on Wednesday, January 15.

“It has always been my dream to play in the NFL and take care of my family,” Higgins, a junior at Clemson, said in his Twitter announcement. “Because of Clemson, I now have the opportunity to do that. So it is with a grateful heart that I announce today my intention to enter the 2020 NFL Draft.”

The draft is scheduled from April 23-25 in Paradise, Nevada.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Clemson University, football, NFL draft, Oak Ridge Wildcats, Tee Higgins

Read about Tee Higgins’ jersey retirement ceremony

Posted at 11:06 am February 2, 2019
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak-Ridge-Higgins-Clinton-Aug-18-2016-Web

Oak Ridge wide receiver Tee Higgins (5), who was then a senior, talks to a television reporter after a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Higgins had two touchdown receptions and two interceptions that set up Wildcat scores. Higgins is now a sophomore receiver at Clemson, and he caught a touchdown pass in the Tigers’ 44-16 college football championship win over Alabama on Jan. 7, 2019. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Oak Ridge Today was not able to attend the jersey retirement ceremony for Tee Higgins at Wildcat Arena on Friday night, but you can read two stories about the ceremony here:

  • Oak Ridge retires Tee Higgins’ jersey number, just the third in Wildcats’ history (5Star Preps)
  • Special night in Secret City for national champion Higgins (WVLT)

Filed Under: High School, Sports Tagged With: jersey retirement, Tee Higgins

Oak Ridge to retire Tee Higgins’ number 5 football jersey

Posted at 4:09 pm January 25, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak-Ridge-Higgins-Clinton-Aug-18-2016-Web

Oak Ridge’s Tee Higgins (5), who was then a senior, talks to a television reporter after a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Higgins had two touchdown receptions and two interceptions that set up Wildcat scores in that game. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

 

Note: This story was updated at 9:45 p.m. Jan. 26.

Oak Ridge will retire the number 5 football jersey of Tee Higgins, a star football and basketball player who now plays as a wide receiver for the Clemson Tigers and caught a touchdown pass in the national championship win over Alabama on January 7.

Higgins’ football jersey will be retired during halftime of the Oak Ridge Wildcats boys’ basketball game against Campbell County at Wildcat Arena on Friday, February 1, Oak Ridge High School Principal Martin McDonald said. That game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

“Congratulate our hometown hero on his national championship and watch as his #5 becomes only the third number to be retired in our 76-year school history,” McDonald said in a post published on Twitter. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Clemson Tigers, football, Jackie Pope, Martin McDonald, national championship, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge Wildcats, Shawn Summers, Tee Higgins

Higgins one of few former Oak Ridge athletes to win national collegiate championship

Posted at 3:03 pm January 9, 2019
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Wildcats Tee Higgins Catch at Ooltewah Nov. 13, 2015

Oak Ridge’s Tee Higgins (5), who was then a junior, makes a leaping catch during a 26-17 loss at Ooltewah in a second-round Class 5A playoff game on Friday, Nov. 13, 2015. (File photo by Julio Culiat)

 

Oak-Ridge-Higgins-Clinton-Aug-18-2016-Web

Oak Ridge’s Tee Higgins (5), who was then a senior, talks to a television reporter after a 56-21 rout at Clinton on Thursday, Aug. 18, 2016. Higgins had two touchdown receptions and two interceptions that set up Wildcat scores. (File photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

Former Oak Ridge wide receiver Tee Higgins is one of a few former Wildcats to win a national championship in a college sport. Higgins, who was a football and basketball star in Oak Ridge, is probably the first former Wildcat with a touchdown catch in a national championship game.

Higgins is a sophomore wide receiver for the Clemson Tigers, who crushed the Alabama Crimson Tide in a 44-16 championship win in Santa Clara, California, on Monday. It was Clemson’s third national championship and second in the past three years, both over Alabama. It was the first national championship for Clemson since Higgins, the team’s leading receiver who has impressed fans with his catches, joined the Tigers.

Higgins had three catches for 81 yards on Monday, including a five-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter, the final Clemson touchdown.

Clemson is the first college football team to go 15-0 since Penn in 1897. Trevor Lawrence, the Tigers’ freshman quarterback, was impressive Monday, finishing 20-for-32 for 347 yards and three touchdown passes. He became the first true freshman starting quarterback to win a national championship since Oklahoma’s Jamelle Holieway in 1985. [Read more…]

Filed Under: College, Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Alabama Crimson Tide, Clemson Tigers, Darel Middleton, Jacob Vane, Jennifer Azzi, national championship, Nikki Caldwell, Oak Ridge, Tee Higgins, Wildcats

Boys basketball photos: Oak Ridge in state semifinal

Posted at 10:21 pm March 17, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge senior Tajion Jones (3), a Mr. Basketball finalist, scored 12 points during a 63-60 loss for the Wildcats in a Class AAA boys' state semifinal game at Murphy Center in Murfreesboro on Friday, March 17, 2017. (Photo by Kindell Moore)

Oak Ridge senior Tajion Jones (3), a Mr. Basketball finalist, scored 12 points during a 63-60 loss for the Wildcats in a Class AAA boys’ state semifinal game at Murphy Center in Murfreesboro on Friday, March 17, 2017. (Photo by Kindell Moore)

 

MURFREESBORO—Oak Ridge kept it close, but Memphis East prevailed 63-60 in a state semifinal basketball game in Murfreesboro on Friday. Here are photos by Kindell Moore.

It was one of two semifinal games in the Division I Class AAA BlueCross Basketball Championships at Middle Tennessee State University.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports Tagged With: Alex Lomax, Anthony Gibson, BlueCross Basketball Championship, boys state semifinal, Chandler Lawson, Class AAA, E.J. Bush, Jayden Hardaway, Kindell Moore, Levert Smith, Malcolm Dandridge, Memphis East, Murphy Center, Oak Ridge, Radarious Washington, state semifinal, state semifinal basketball game, T.J. Moss, Tajion Jones, Tee Higgins, Tyshawn Young

Oak Ridge keeps it close, but Memphis East prevails in state semifinal

Posted at 3:24 pm March 17, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge junior point guard Levert Smith (10), who is 5-foot-9, drives around Memphis East sophomore center Malcolm Dandridge (35), who is 6-foot-8, during a 63-60 loss for the Wildcats during a Class AAA boys' state semifinal game at Murphy Center in Murfreesboro on Friday, March 17, 2017. Smith led Oak Ridge with 14 points and eight assists. (Photo by Kindell Moore)

Oak Ridge junior point guard Levert Smith (10), who is 5-foot-9, drives around Memphis East sophomore center Malcolm Dandridge (35), who is 6-foot-8, during a 63-60 loss for the Wildcats during a Class AAA boys’ state semifinal game at Murphy Center in Murfreesboro on Friday, March 17, 2017. Smith led Oak Ridge with 14 points and eight assists. (Photo by Kindell Moore)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 4 p.m. March 18.

MURFREESBORO—Oak Ridge kept it close, but Memphis East prevailed 63-60 in a state semifinal basketball game in Murfreesboro on Friday.

The season is over for the Wildcats (31-3). The Mustangs, last year’s Class AAA champion, move on to this year’s BlueCross Basketball Championship game against Southwind in Murphy Center at Middle Tennessee State University on Saturday afternoon.

Oak Ridge, which started four seniors, led most of the first half against Memphis East (32-3), which is ranked number two in the nation, according to Wildcats Coach Aaron Green. The Mustangs, a tall team that started two sophomores and two juniors, took their first lead late in the second quarter on a three-point shot by senior Jayden Hardaway with 1:40 remaining in the half.

The two teams traded leads in the third quarter, and Oak Ridge led 44-43 at the end of three.

But Memphis East outscored Oak Ridge 20-16 in the fourth quarter to seal the win. [Read more…]

Filed Under: High School, Slider, Sports, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Aaron Green, Alex Lomax, Anthony Gibson, BlueCross Basketball Championship, Chandler Lawson, Class AAA boys state semifinal, E.J. Bush, Jayden Hardaway, Levert Smith, Malcolm Dandridge, Memphis East, Middle Tennessee State University, Mustangs, Oak Ridge, Radarious Washington, Rocky Jackson, Southwind, T.J. Moss, Tajion Jones, Tee Higgins, Tyshawn Young, Wildcats

Basketball photos: Wildcats at Class AAA boys’ quarterfinal

Posted at 6:11 pm March 16, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

OakRidge senior Tyshawn Young (4) led the Wildcats with 18 points and nine rebounds during a 53-45 win over Brentwood in a Class AAA boys' state quarterfinal game at Murphy Center in Murfreesboro on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Young was 6-of-6 from the free throw line. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

Oak Ridge senior Tyshawn Young (4) led the Wildcats with 18 points and nine rebounds during a 53-45 win over Brentwood in a Class AAA boys’ state quarterfinal game at Murphy Center in Murfreesboro on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. Young was 6-of-6 from the free throw line. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

MURFREESBORO—Oak Ridge beat Brentwood 53-45 in a state quarterfinal basketball game on Wednesday to advance to a semifinal game against Memphis East on Friday. Here are photos by Luther Simmons. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports Tagged With: Anthony Gibson, Brentwood, Class AAA, Class AAA boys state quarterfinal, E.J. Bush, Levert Smith, Luther Simmons, Murphy Center, Oak Ridge, Tajion Jones, Tee Higgins, Tyshawn Young, Wildcats

Photos: Oak Ridge beats Brentwood in state quarterfinal

Posted at 1:27 am March 16, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge senior E.J. Bush (2), who is playing again after a knee injury sidelined him for several months, drives against Brentwood during a 53-45 win for the Wildcats in a Class AAA boys' state quarterfinal game at Murphy Center in Murfreesboro on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Photo by Kindell Moore)

Oak Ridge senior E.J. Bush (2), who is playing again after a knee injury sidelined him for several months, drives against Brentwood during a 53-45 win for the Wildcats in a Class AAA boys’ state quarterfinal game at Murphy Center in Murfreesboro on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Photo by Kindell Moore)

 

MURFREESBORO—Oak Ridge beat Brentwood 53-45 in a state quarterfinal basketball game on Wednesday to advance to a semifinal game against Memphis East on Friday. Here are photos from the quarterfinal game by Kindell Moore. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports Tagged With: boys state quarterfinal, Brentwood, Class AAA, E.J. Bush, Herbert Booker, Kindell Moore, Levert Smith, Murphy Center, Oak Ridge, Tajion Jones, Tee Higgins

Oak Ridge beats Brentwood to advance to state semifinal

Posted at 11:38 pm March 15, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins (5) had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Wildcats during a 53-45 win over Brentwood in a Class AAA state quarterfinal game at Murphy Center in Murfreesboro on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Photo by Kindell Moore)

Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins (5), shown going for a dunk here, had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Wildcats during a 53-45 win over Brentwood in a Class AAA state quarterfinal game at Murphy Center in Murfreesboro on Wednesday, March 15, 2017. (Photo by Kindell Moore)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 6:35 p.m. March 16.

MURFREESBORO—Oak Ridge beat Brentwood 53-45 in a state quarterfinal basketball game on Wednesday to advance to a semifinal game against Memphis East on Friday.

It’s the farthest the Wildcats have made it in the Class AAA state tournament since 2014, when they finished as state runner-up, losing 60-58 to Blackman.

Oak Ridge and Brentwood hadn’t played before. The Wednesday afternoon quarterfinal game in Murphy Center at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro was the last of the four Class AAA games. It was the closest of those four games in the BlueCross Basketball Championships. Oak Ridge led by one point, 20-19, at halftime.

The Wildcats (31-2) were led by senior Tyshawn Young with 18 points and nine rebounds. Young was 6-of-6 from the free throw line.

Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins, who has signed to play football at Clemson, had 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two spectacular blocks, and a dunk on a lob pass, as well as another one after driving up the lane. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports Tagged With: Alex Lomax, boys state quarterfinal, Brentwood, Bruins, Class AAA, Class AAA state champion, E.J. Bush, East Hamilton, in the BlueCross Basketball Championship, Independence, Kellen king, Kindell Moore, Memphis East, Middle Tennessee State University, Murphy Center, Oak Ridge, Reed Smith, Southwind, Tajion Jones, Tee Higgins, Tyshawn Young, Wildcats

Photos: Wildcats beat David Crockett on way to state

Posted at 12:04 am March 7, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins (5) goes for a block against Paul Arrowood (44) of David Crockett during a 90-60 win for the Wildcats in a sectional at Wildcat Arena on Monday, March 6, 2017. Also pictured is Oak Ridge senior Tyshawn Young (4). (Photo by Luther Simmons)

Oak Ridge senior Tee Higgins (5) goes for a block against Paul Arrowood (44) of David Crockett during a 90-60 win for the Wildcats in a sectional at Wildcat Arena on Monday, March 6, 2017. Also pictured is Oak Ridge senior Tyshawn Young (4). (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

Oak Ridge beat David Crockett 90-60 in a Class AAA sectional at Wildcat Arena on Monday, advancing to the state basketball tournament in Murfreesboro next week. Here are photos by Luther Simmons. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Sports, Top Stories Tagged With: Anthony Gibson, Camara Bradley, Class AAA sectional, David Crockett, E.J. Bush, John Releford, Levert Smith, Luther Simmons, McHale Bright, Oak Ridge, Paul Arrowood, Tajion Jones, Tee Higgins, Tyshawn Young, Wildcats

Cool under pressure, Jones, Gibson lead Wildcats to state

Posted at 8:58 pm March 6, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Oak Ridge senior Tajion Jones (3), who scored a game-high 27 points, shoots from three-point range during a 90-60 win over David Crockett in a Class AAA sectional at Wildcat Arena on Monday, March 6, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

Oak Ridge senior Tajion Jones (3), who scored a game-high 27 points, shoots from three-point range during a 90-60 win over David Crockett in a Class AAA sectional at Wildcat Arena on Monday, March 6, 2017. (Photo by Luther Simmons)

 

Note: This story was last updated at 12 p.m. March 7.

Cool under pressure, Oak Ridge seniors Tajion Jones and Anthony Gibson helped lead the Wildcats to the state Class AAA boys’ basketball tournament in Murfreesboro next week.

Jones, a Mr. Basketball finalist, scored a game-high 27 points during a 90-60 win over David Crockett in a sectional at Wildcat Arena on Monday.

“Tonight, he showed why he’s a Mr. Basketball finalist,” Oak Ridge Coach Aaron Green said.

Though the team lineups aren’t exactly the same, it was somewhat of a rematch of last year’s sectional, also played at Wildcat Arena, when David Crockett eliminated Oak Ridge 73-70 in overtime. The sectionals determine which eight teams play in the state tournament.

This year’s game wasn’t close.

“We played really well,” Oak Ridge Coach Aaron Green said. “This is not easy. It’s hard to get to the state tournament.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: Front Page News, High School, Slider, Sports, Sports Tagged With: Aaron Green, Anthony Gibson, Barry Wortman, Bearden, Blackman, Camara Bradley, Class AAA basketball tournament, Class AAA boys basketball tournament, Class AAA sectional, David Crockett, E.J. Bush, Josh Releford, Levert Smith, Middle Tennessee State University, Oak Ridge, Tajion Jones, Tee Higgins, Tyshawn Young, Wildcat Arena, Wildcats

Next Page »

Search Oak Ridge Today

Classifieds

Public Notice: Comment period extended for Draft EA for Lithium Processing Facility at Y-12

EXTENSION OF THE COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE LITHIUM PROCESSING … [Read More...]

Public Notice: Draft Environmental Assessment Available for Lithium Production Facility at Y-12

AVAILABILITY OF THE DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE LITHIUM PROCESSING FACILITY AT THE Y-12 … [Read More...]

Availability of the Final Environmental Assessment for the Oak Ridge Enhanced Technology and Training Center (ORETTC) (DOE/EA-2144), Finding of No Significant Impact, and Wetland Statement of Findings

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

Recent Posts

  • ORISE receives DOE silver award for GreenBuy program
  • Blasius to discuss Downtown Oak Ridge on Tuesday
  • Oak Ridge releases water quality report
  • Granholm, a former governor, now energy secretary
  • Gov. Lee lifts nursing home restrictions, extends state of emergency
  • ORNL FCU will lease space to Anderson County Family Justice Center
  • Basketball photos: Oak Ridge Lady Wildcats
  • Basketball: Lady Wildcats win district championship, defeat Farragut
  • ORUD announces new president, general manager
  • REAC/TS receives U.S. Secretary of Energy’s Achievement Award
A Twitter List by OakRidgeToday

Recent Comments

  • Matt Bailey on Dodson also wants to serve as mayor pro tem
  • Mark Caldwell on Dodson also wants to serve as mayor pro tem
  • Matt Bailey on Dodson also wants to serve as mayor pro tem
  • Mark Caldwell on Dodson also wants to serve as mayor pro tem
  • Matt Bailey on Dodson also wants to serve as mayor pro tem
  • Tracy Powers on Planning Commission to consider Main Street apartments, plan revisions
  • johnhuotari on Four incumbents re-elected to Oak Ridge City Council
  • Levi D. Smith on Four incumbents re-elected to Oak Ridge City Council
  • samuel hopwood on Housing: Apartments proposed on former AMSE site
  • Matt Bailey on Robin Smith named Oak Ridge police chief

About Us

About Oak Ridge Today
What We Cover

How To

Advertise
Subscribe

Contact Us

Contact Oak Ridge Today

Copyright © 2021 Oak Ridge Today