OAK RIDGE, Tenn. — Reaching the 70-point mark for the 15th time this season wasn't enough as sixth-ranked Walker Valley surrendered the most points they have so far Monday evening, suffering just its third loss of the campaign.
Making the 136-mile round trip to Oak Ridge, the Mustangs (21-3) ran into hot shooting, eighth-ranked Wildcat squad, which eclipsed the 80-point mark for the seventh time this season in an 88-70 outcome.
Oak Ridge (19-3) was coming off a season-high 109 markers in a 40-point win over Campbell County in a District 4-3A battle Friday.
Ranked ninth in this week's TSWA State Class 4A Poll, the Lady Wildcats had little trouble with the Lady Mustangs in a 64-22 outcome for their 20th win of the season.
Walker Valley will travel to Chattanooga Christian School Tuesday evening, before hosting Rhea County in a District 5-4A twinbill Friday.
WILDCATS 88, MUSTANGS 70: Oak Ridge's offense was consistent, putting quarter scores of 23, 22, 21, 21, including racing out to double-digit lead by the first horn and maintaining that through the contest.
Walker Valley stumbled out of the gate with an uncharacteristically low 11 points in the opening frame, the Herd found itself 45-27 at the intermission.
Coach Will Campbell's Mustangs came out strong in the second half, galloping to a 28-21 shootout in the third period, before the hosts stayed true with the same tally in the final eight minutes, while the Herd slipped back down with only 15 markers.
Five Stallions sizzled the strings for double digits with sophomore Zach Davis leading the way with 20 points, including a couple of treys.
Junior sharpshooter Turner Clayton drilled a trio of tiples on his way to 13 markers, while senior Landon Shirk dialed long distance twice on his way to 10 points.
The senior Campbell twins combined for 22 points, with Graham Campbell returning after missing last Friday's victory at Cleveland due to an illness, netting a dozen, with a pair of "3-balls" and going 4-for-6 at the charity stripe.
Tucker Campbell helped out with 10 markers, going 3-of-5 from the field, including a long-range bomb.
In just his second game back from a month off due to a hand injury, junior point guard Ashton Davis, the 2024 Region 3 MVP, dropped in five points.
The Valley boys hit just 36.6% (15-of-41) from inside the arc, but 41.7% (10-for-24) beyond it, plus only going 10-of-16 (63%) at the foul line.
Oak Ridge senior guard Rayquan Watson, who had been averaging 16.3 points per game, ripped the cords for 21 of his game-high 29 points in the second half, plus finished the night with a half dozen from distance.
He got strong support from teammates Shamar Green (18 points), Garrett Giles (16), Cooper Williams (11) and Malik Howard (9).
LADY WILDCATS 64, LADY MUSTANGS 22: Walker Valley's (5-18) recent offensive woes continued, netting a combined 68 points in three straight losses over an eight-day span.
Oak Ridge (20-3) held the Herd to just a pair of Sariyah Cox free throws in the opening period, while swishing the nylon for 19 points of its own.
The second frame was much closer with the hosts posting just an 11-7 edge for a 21-point difference at the half.
After the Lady Wildcats added a 17-6 run in the third period, the Valley girls took the final frame by a narrow 7-6 margin.
Cox and sophomore Mia Lindsey topped the Lady Mustang effort with five points apiece. Kia Young netted four markers.
Oak Ridge's Ze'yana Stewart put up a game-high 16 markers, while teammate Evaiya Mitchell notched a dozen, both of which going 3-for-3 at the stripe. As a team, the Lady Wildcats dropped in 9-of-12 free throws.
GAME SUMMARIES
Girls Game
Walker Valley 2 7 6 7 — 22
Oak Ridge 19 11 17 6 — 64
LADY MUSTANGS (22) — Mia Lindsey 5, Sariah Cox 5, Young 4, Woods 2, K. McDonald 2, Sims 2, Argauer 2, M. McDonald, Trew, Jones.
LADY WILDCATS (64) — Ze'yana Stewart 16, Evaiya Mitchell 12, Ayana Porter 6, Lindsey Cleveland 3, Euleste Mitchell 6, Jenayah Pippens 5, Johnson 4, Bishop 3, Eubanks 2, Lawing 2, Thompson.
3-POINTERS: WV 1 (Lindsey); OR 3 (Mitchell, Stewart, Cleveland).
FREE THROWS: WV 5-of-9; OR 9-of-12.
RECORDS: Walker Valley 5-18; No. 9 Oak Ridge 20-3.
Boys Game
Walker Valley 11 16 28 15 — 70
Oak Ridge 23 22 21 21 — 88
MUSTANGS (70) — Zach Davis 20, Turner Clayton 13, Graham Campbell 12, Tucker Campbell 10, Landon Shirk 10, Ashton Davis 5, Garrison, Sausville, Keeton, Green, Coates, Wood, Bain.
WILDCATS (88) — Rayquan Watson 29, Shamar Green 18, Garrett Giles 16, Cooper Williams 11, Malik Howard 9, Jemersen 3, Taubenhieml 2.
3-POINTERS: WV 10 (Clayton 3, Z. Davis 2, Shirk 2, G. Campbell 2, T. Campbell); OR 8 (Watson 6, Williams, Green).
FREE THROWS: WV 10-of-16; OR 9-of-14.
RECORDS: No. 6 Walker Valley 21-3; No. 8 Oak Ridge 19-3.