This could be epic. Oak Ridge has loaded up for a state title run and nothing would do more for their confidence than defeating the always powerful Eagles of Montverde. The Eagles have plenty of talent of their own and plenty of championship experience. Strap In!
Oak Ridge grabbed the first lead of the contest, scoring on their first three possessions including consecutive three pointers by 6’1 senior Jalen Reece, to lead 8-5 less than two minutes into the contest. From there, Montverde seized momentum going on an 11-0 run, six of those from 6’6 senior C.J. Ingram, to double up Oak Ridge by the score of 16-8 with just over three minutes left to play in the quarter. The Pioneers used the power of the three-point shot to get back into it using a 14-5 run to close out the quarter up 22-21. In that run, three different players made three-point shots, including a four point play from Reece. Oak Ridge hit five three pointers in the opening quarter.
Oak Ridge continued its torrid pace to open the second quarter. A three from 5’9 junior Solomon Bradshaw, one from 6’8 senior Zay Mosley and a Mosley drive gave the Pioneers a 30-21 lead with just over six minutes left in the half. Montverde kept coming and used a 13-4 run to tie the score at 34-34 after a three-point play from 6’2 junior Dhani Miller. Montverde then hit a long two to take back the lead but then Oak Ridge scored the next seven points, five from Reece to grab a 41-36 lead with forty seconds left. Montverde’s 6’4 senior Dante Allen knocked down a three before the halftime horn to make it a 41-39 game with Oak Ridge on top.
An Ingram drive for Montverde tied the game quickly to start the third quarter. Treyvon Maddox, a 6’7 senior for Oak Ridge, dropped in a three for the Pioneers to retake the lead. Montverde then went on an 8-0 run featuring back-to-back threes from Allen. With 5:17 left in the quarter, Montverde led 49-44. Oak Ridge went back to the three-point shot it was so successful with in the first half but this time it let them down. Montverde took advantage of this to stretch their lead. The Eagles scored the last four points of the quarter, three on a transition jumper from 6’7 senior Hudson Greer, to lead by double-digits heading into the final quarter up 62-51.
With 4:41 to play, Montverde led 71-61 but Oak Ridge wasn’t done yet. A bucket inside by Mosely and three free throws for Maddox got them back to within 71-66 with just under four minutes to play. Montverde responded with a 5-0 run to put its lead back to ten, 78-68 with 2:21 left to play. Oak Ridge never got closer than seven points the rest of the way and Montverde heads to Monday nights Championship Game with an 83-74 win.
Ingram led Montverde with 22 points while Allen had 20, 6’7 senior Trent Sisley added 16 points and Greer tallied 10 points.
For Oak Ridge, 6’6 senior Jamier Jones led the way with 22 points. Reece finished with 19, Mosley 14 and Maddox 11.