TNJN - Oak Ridge survives scare from Halls

Oak Ridge survives scare from Halls

TNJN/Woolsey, Christopher

Guard Tre Smith is introduced during the starting lineup for Oak Ridge.

TNJN/Woolsey, Christopher

Wildcat Tyler Clark attempts a three pointer late in the second half. Clark led all three point shooters with three.

TNJN/Woolsey, Christopher

Thw two teams shake hands after the close ballgame. Halls put up a much tougher fight than the team's previous meeting.

TNJN/Woolsey, Christopher

Halls' Gary Cooper(22) and Oak Ridge's Quinche Dowdell(3) stand ready for tipoff.

TNJN/Woolsey, Christopher

Halls' leading scorer Zach Zabowski(33) drives in on an Oak Ridge defender. Zabowski led all scorers with 19.

TNJN/Woolsey, Christopher

Halls' Jay Cannon flies towards the basket for a lay up under the Oak Ridge defender.

TNJN/Woolsey, Christopher

Zabowski pulls up for 15 foot jump shot.

TNJN/Woolsey, Christopher

The Oak Ridge Wildcats discuss their strategy during a timeout.

TNJN/Woolsey, Christopher

Oak Ridge's Quinche Dowdell backs in the smaller Halls defender. Halls had trouble with Oak Ridge's size all night.

TNJN/Woolsey, Christopher

Oak Ridge's Tyler Clark is fouled hard to the ground. The foul caused a great uproar in the Halls gym.

TNJN/Woolsey, Christopher

Oak Ridge's James Michel takes the ball up strong over the smaller Halls player. Oak Ridge showed more athletic ability during the game.

By Christopher Woolsey

published: February 05 2008 01:03 PM updated:: February 05 2008 02:33 PM

The Oak Ridge boys basketball team extended its win streak to 12 with a close victory over Halls.

DeMarcus Rogers led the Wildcats(24-1, 13-0) in scoring with 15 to help lead Oak Ridge to a 56-47 victory. Halls(13-11, 5-7), who was trying to avenge a 68-45 loss to Oak Ridge earlier in the year, was lead in scoring by Zach Zabowski with 19.

Oak Ridge jumped out to a quick start and seemed to have the game under control going into halftime with a 42-27 lead. But the Halls defense tightened up in the second half, cutting Oak Ridge's lead to six at the the end of the third quarter.

However, Oak Ridge proved why they are one of the top teams in the East, holding off what would have been a massive upset. Oak Ridge hopes to continue its win streak Friday at home vs. Powell.