Beech Tree News Network

Oak Ridge Warriors win KCAA First Region Tournament by knocking of the #1 ranked team in the KCAA while the Lady Warriors went Runner-up in the KCAA First Region Tournament.
Oak Ridge Warriors took the floor Friday night against the Heritage Warriors from Hopkinsville.  Heritage jumped out of the gates with the lead and they continued to soar throughout the first half.  Oak Ridge found themselves trailing by 13 at halftime with a score of Oak Ridge 18 Heritage 31. The second half started off sluggish for Oak Ridge and the point deficit had extended to 16, but by the end of the third quarter they had cut the lead to 32-37 Heritage. The fourth quarter proved to be the quarter for the comeback as Trenton Harris and Heath Cardwell stepped to the free throw line to tie the game with less than a minute to go, Oak Ridge was holding to what seemed as a final shot as Heath Cardwell came off a screen set by Trenton Cooper while the defender lowered his shoulder, which sent Cooper to the foul line with the opportunity to take the first lead with only 32 seconds remaining in the game. Sinking both free throws, the Oak Ridge Warriors took the lead and they held on to a victory with a final score 49-46.
Stats: Cory Mason: 27 points, 14 rebounds, 2 steals, Cade Crowder: 3 points, 8 rebounds, 7 steals, 2 assists, 1 block, Heath Cardwell: 13 points, 2 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block, Trenton Cooper: 2 points, 1 rebound, Trenton Harris: 4 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assists, Christian Pendley: 1 rebound, Hunter Mason: 2 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assist

The Oak Ridge Warriors faced the top ranked Glasgow Warriors for the first Region Championship on Saturday.  The Glasgow Warriors came into the tournament with an undefeated KCAA record and All A State Champions.  The Oak Ridge Warriors faced Glasgow twice during regular season but had fallen short both times. They were up for the challenge as they came out of the gates ready for defensive pressure.  By the Second quarter the Oak Ridge Warriors found themselves in foul trouble but thanks to Garrison Odle, Alex Young, and Hunter Mason who gave big minutes off the bench the Warriors were up by 5 with a score of 29-24. In the second half the Oak Ridge Warriors kept up the pressure but could not pull away from Glasgow as Glasgow cut the lead to 2 at the end of the third 38-36.  With 15 seconds to go in the fourth Trenton Cooper stepped to the foul line to put Oak Ridge up by 4.  Then, with 6 seconds to end the game Glasgow was fouled on the 3 and stepped to the line to knock down 3 foul shots putting Glasgow trailing by only 1 point.  Oak Ridge held on with the one point lead to pull out the upset with a score of 50 – 49 and crown them region champs.  Now they look to the KCAA State Tournament on Friday night at Berea College.  This is the first time the Warriors have been to state since 2007. Good luck Warriors at State!
Stats: Cory Mason: 10 points, 7 rebounds, 2 steals, Cade Crowder: 14 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assists, 1 block, Heath Cardwell: 19 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, Trenton Cooper: 7 points, 3 rebounds, Trenton Harris: 7 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 assists, 1 block, Christian Pendley: 4 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 assists, Hunter Mason: 2 rebounds, 1 assist

The Lady Warriors came out Friday night against Glasgow Christian trailing from the beginning and found themselves down 14 -1 at the end of the first quarter.  The Lady Warriors fought back in the second quarter with 2 big 3’s by Gabby Harris ending the first half with Oak Ridge 18 Glasgow 27.  The Lady Warriors were ready in the last half to make their comeback.  With 2 more 3 pointers by Gabby Harris and domination of rebounding by Jasmine Alford and Gracie Clark they tied the game at the end of the third with 34-34. The Lady Warriors continued to dominate the Glasgow Warriors and ended the game 45-41 putting Oak Ridge in the championship game on Saturday against #1 Heritage Warriors. 
Stats: Hannah Burden: 14 points, Jasmine Alford: 6 points, career high 24 rebounds, Gabby Harris: 16 points, Delany Cooper: 4 points, Gracie Clark: 5 points

On Saturday, the Lady Warriors once again started off by trailing against their opponent. In the second quarter Delaney cooper stepped up and hit 3 free-throws to try to shorten the lead. They were down 23-10 at the end of the half.  They came out in the 3rd but struggled against the pressure of the #1 ranked opponent.  They had a little breath of hope with Hannah Burden hitting three 3’s in the fourth, but it was a little late as they lost with a final score Oak Ridge 29 – Heritage 59. The Lady Warriors will be facing Academy of Louisville Tuesday night for the first round of the State Tournament.  This will be the Lady Warriors first Varsity State appearance since 2009.
Stats:  Hannah Burden 17 points, Delaney Cooper 6 points, Gracie Clark 4 points, Gabby Harris 2 points