Oak Ridge rides effort, teamwork to best season in 12 years

BLOOMFIELD – Monday’s 65-56 loss by the Oak Ridge High School varsity boy’s basketball squad to Oran in the opening round of the MSHSAA Class 2 District 3 Tournament was indicative of the spectacular Blue Jays’ season.

Oak Ridge won 21 of its 27 games this year, which is the most since 2011, and effort is the reason why, according to third-year Blue Jay coach Cody Bova.

“It was how they played together,” Bova said. “Even like tonight, we battled hard and we could have given up.”

The Eagles led Oak Ridge by 15 points to start the second half, but instead of rolling over, the Blue Jays fought back to pull to within three points early in the fourth quarter.

“They played with more energy than us in the second half,” veteran Oran coach Joe Shoemaker said of the Blue Jays afterward.

Oak Ridge had win streaks of nine and six games at times this season and this year’s team was the program’s best offensively since 2020 and best defensively since 2014.

“That is the reason we won so many games,” Bova said, “it is just how hard they play and their unselfish basketball.”

The Blue Jays, which had won a combined 15 games over the past two seasons, stymied Oran in an earlier 54-39 Oak Ridge win with its zone defense, which relies on communication and cohesion to play effectively.

Oak Ridge played 13 teams with winning records this year and held its opponents to less than 50 points per game.

“It’s their hard work and how well they play together and move together on defense,” Bova said. “We did a good job of being really active. That is how we get a lot of steals. Then we can score by getting out in transition.”

Of the seven Blue Jays, who contributed offensively on Monday, four will return next season.

Sophomore Cohen Hahs had three points on Monday, while junior Brock Hobeck (three), junior Ty Wilson (nine), and junior Konnor Hobeck (15) were also productive.

“They are very well-coached,” veteran Oran coach Joe Shoemaker said of Oak Ridge. “They are a good team.”