CHARLESTON, Tenn. -- Sophomore Jervon Johnson scored 18 points Friday night in a key district 5-AAA basketball game, but none were any more important than the final two against the Walker Valley Mustangs that preserved a 68-65 victory.
With the once-beaten Owls clinging to a one-point lead, Johnson went to the free throw line with 20 seconds remaining and calmly sank both charity tosses to give Ooltewah a little breathing room.
The Mustangs had one final chance to possibly tie the score, but a last-second shot by sharp-shooting Cody Burrell was off the mark.
Ooltewah had to come from behind after Walker Valley took an early 11-2 lead. The Mustangs were still in control at 19-13 when the first quarter ended.
Ooltewah's Tyler Whitman personally got his team back in contention in the second stanza by scoring 14 of his game-high 27 points during that span.
The Owls finally gained the upper hand in the third quarter, benefitting that trapping defense that generates a lot of points in a hurry and makes life miserable for opposing teams.
A 24-12 advantage in that third quarter gave the lead to Ooltewah and Walker Valley never led again.
"We had to play our tails off to get back in the game, but Tyler (Whitman) was unstoppable for about a four-minute stretch in the second quarter," said Ooltewah coach Jesse Nayadley afterward.
"We have the ability to score points in bunches with our pressure. I just keep telling our guys to keep the pressure on. At some point, we'll get on a run that might be the difference in the game," the coach added.
Whitman's 27 was tops for both teams while Johnson was next for Ooltewah with 18.
Wesley Richey added eight points while Josh Lloyd was credited with eight assists for the Owls.
Drew Zaleta was tops for Walker Valley with 17 points.
Josh Williams and Jon Tucker both finished in double figures with 15 points while Burrell added 11.
(Email John Hunt at tnmoose2002@aol.com)