For what is still a young program, it was a season of firsts for the Oak Ridge girls basketball team, which had its season end after making school history last week.
The Blue Jays recorded their first postseason win ever by taking down Couch 64-48 in the Class 1 District 1 Quarterfinals. This victory was also Oak Ridge’s 10th of the season, something the Blue Jays had never accomplished before.
“We beat last year’s win record and then beat the program history win record of six,” Oak Ridge head coach Julie Ward said. “Tonight, we accomplished our final goal for the season with an additional goal that is icing on the cake.
“We earned our 10th win for a double-digit win record and this is the first time in program history that we have won a postseason game. I am very proud to be their coach and have enjoyed watching them grow this year. I am just so proud of them and the season they are having.”
Recording yet another double-double on the season in the Blue Jays historic win was sophomore sensation forward Reagan Howe, who produced 29 points and 14 rebounds in the 16-point win.
Pacing Howe in both categories was sophomore forward Madyson Ruehling as she finished with 18 points and 11 boards for Oak Ridge. Senior guard Abby Morrison came up with five points, while junior MaKayla Rangel and sophomore Katie Seabaugh scored three apiece.
The Blue Jays (10-15) had their historic season end in the district semifinals to last year’s Class 1 state runner-ups Delta (24-3) by a final score of 101-48. Oak Ridge fell to the Bobcats 95-32 earlier this winter, so Coach Ward is proud her team scored 16 more points against them the second time around.
Howe finished with another double-double at 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Ruehling paced her with 10 points and 10 boards.
