EVENSVILLE, Tenn. — It is referred to as a "get-back game." A team might not be playing well, or could be coming off a frustrating loss, and whoever its next opponent is perhaps provides an opportunity to "get back" to the norm.
Tuesday night, Rhea County became Ooltewah's chance to get back on the right track in a big way.
The Owls scored 54 first-half points and hit 10 3-point baskets on their way to a 93-54 District 5-AAA victory over the Golden Eagles. The game was a far cry from the teams' first meeting, when Rhea overcame a 10-point deficit to win by four. That defeat, plus a loss Jan. 20 to Bradley Central, had the Owls hungry for payback.
"We were very angry -- and frustrated," Ooltewah senior Jervon Johnson said. "We had a couple of good practices and came out ready to play tonight. It also helped that we heard they were No. 1 in the district coming in, and now this win puts us in a good spot."
Ooltewah improved to 18-3 overall and 6-2 in District 5-AAA, moving a half-game ahead of Bradley Central (5-2) and a half-game behind Cleveland (7-2). Rhea is 6-3.
Owls coach Jesse Nayadley likes to keep the other team in the 50s. He got that plus the offensive effort he desires, although not even he was prepared for the barrage of shots his team hit and the eventual output. That included 3s by reserves Andrew Ware, Tucker Bass and Ty Presley in a "mercy rule" fourth quarter.
Johnson led Ooltewah with 23 points, followed by Antonio Jackson and Ben Snider with 16 each. Jackson also had eight assists and four steals. Ware had 11 points and Andre Moton scored nine points and had six assists as the Owls finished with 29 helpers.
"We were focused; you could tell coming in," Nayadley said. "We felt we let the first one get away. To their credit, they did what they were supposed to do that night, but tonight we got back to playing our speed, which is hard and fast."
After the first-half outburst, which finished with the Owls up 21, Nayadley was delighted to see the intensity level remain high to start the second half, as Ooltewah forced eight turnovers in the third quarter. Their defensive intensity keyed on the entire Rhea team but particularly Jalen Smith, who burned the Owls for 33 points and hit a trio of 3s in the final moments of the first game.
"We're still trying to put together a full game, but I was pleased with the start we had," Nayadley said. "We had a lot of energy. We can be that good."
Smith had 13 points and no 3s this time. The entire Rhea team was shut out from 3-point range, in fact. Post Josh Coleman led the Golden Eagles (12-7) with 15 points.
"We were taken to the woodshed tonight," Rhea coach Tony Williams said. "It was a combination of their good effort and our poor effort. We didn't defend the paint. We've been competitive most nights, but I think it's good for us to get humbled going into the district tournament."
