Wildcats basketball season underway: Here's a quick look
Last year: Longtime Oak Ridge High School Basketball Coach Aaron Green entered his 13th season at Oak Ridge after a 24-6 2021-2022 campaign that included both a regular-season District 3 championship and a District 3 tournament championship. The Wildcats lost to eventual state runnerup Bearden in the Region 2 semis.
Some Old, Some New: Coach Green’s staff has remained remarkably stable for the past seven years, as Assistant Coach/JV Coach Ronnie Scott and Volunteer Coach, “the legendary” Danny Green remain on staff, along with fourth year Assistant Coach/Freshman Coach Ted Mitchell. This year, Green has fleshed out the staff with the addition of Dominique Wright, who played at Marquette and as a professional overseas. He brings his partnership with his wife Angela of Neek-n-Ang to both the boys and girls hoops programs. Coach Green says of his staff that they are “a really good group of coaches who care about kids, guys you want your kids to be around.”
Coach Green: The intense, passionate Green says that this is a fun group to coach and will be a fun group to watch: “They’re inexperienced because we graduated so much, but they work hard.” He envisions a large rotation of as many as 10 players and says that depth is a strength this year. Green also points to the high expectations of the program: “As a coach you sell the program short if you don’t have high expectations. We expect to win the District, win the Region, make it to the State Tournament, and compete for a championship. That’s just what we do.”
Impact players
No. 0: Quez Thomas (5-11/150 junior). The guard can play the 1 or two. Strong defender. Fast, athletic slasher on offense:
No. 1: Lucas Hammons (6-4/185 senior) Played as a freshman and then came back after becoming King of Civic Center Hoops. Solid scorer, plays inside-out. Will take some time to re-learn the Oak Ridge system.
No. 2: Shamar Greene (6-5/190 Sophomore) The young big has a chance to be “really good” according to Green, who also says he has improved as much as anyone on the team.
No. 3: Marcus Peters (6-0/160 Senior) Peters is a talented newcomer who is a good shooter, is athletic and can put it on the floor. He’s still learning the OR defense.
No. 4: Grayson Strader (6-5/190 Senior) The G/F plays inside-out, posts up well because of his size, and is one of the better shooters on the team.
No. 5: Bryson Comer (6-3/195 Senior) Listed as a forward, he can also play the 5 spot. Green says he’s hardnosed, has good size, is strong. Green says he has “a presence inside at the post position.” Has improved a great deal.
No. 10: Brennen Scott (6-1/160 Junior) A sharpshooting, quick SG. He’s a scorer who shoots the 3 but has gotten better at going to the basket.
No. 11: Raquan “RayRay” Watson (5-10/160 Sophomore) Another talented sophomore whom Green has “thrown right into the fire” after not dressing last year. He’s quick, is a good shooter, gets to the hole well, is a strong defender. The complete package.
No.14: Gavin Johnson (5-11/150 Sophomore) The shooting guard is “one of the better shooters in our program,” according to Coach Green.
No. 15: Camron McCulloh (5-9/140 Sophomore) The backup PG will also play wing. Green calls him hardnosed. Has great handles.
No. 20: Kaden Brightharp (6-1/165 Junior) Listed as a guard, he will also play at the 3 some. Best defender on the team, according to Green. He’s an athletic slasher and a good shooter. Green calls him a “tough guy you love to coach.” An impact player on the court.
Football guys
These guys finished the TSSAA Football Playoffs with a matchup last Friday against Powell. (Editor's note: Unfortunately, the Wildcats lost to Powell, 43-13.)
No. 12: Connor Cummings (5-11/165 junior guard)
No. 21: Ethan Eubanks (6-6/195 sophomore center)
No. 23: Pryce Davis (5-9/160 junior guard)
No. 35: Cooper Williams (6-5/225 sophomore center)
Key Games: The Wildcats host perennial power Oakland, who are coached by former Oak Ridge assistant Dyron Birdwell. Fulton is always tough, and the Wildcats play there this year. Cleveland and Sevier County are also on the schedule. This year the Wildcats play in the Maryville Christmas Tournament. As for the District, Green says that on paper Karns looks strong and that the league is “strong from top to bottom. Of course, the rivalry game against Clinton will be a big one, as well.
Allen Etheridge is an English teacher and sports information and assistant athletic director for Oak Ridge High School.
This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Wildcats basketball season underway: Here's a quick look
