Walker Valley’s basketball games at Ooltewah High were orginally scheduled for tonight, but they were moved up a day because of today’s potential bad weather. But the school was already hosting the Region 4-AAA wrestling duals semifinals in its newer gymnasium.
Nonetheless, the basketball Owls seemed right at home in the “Old Barn.”
Making their first three field goals from 3-point distance and ending up with 13-for-16 free-throw shooting, Ooltewah’s boys managed to hold off the Mustangs 63-60 in a pivotal District 5-AAA game. The games were the first held in the old gym in seven years.
“We don’t even practice in here,” Ooltewah boys’ coach Jesse Nayadley said.
It wasn’t evident early on. For instance, Jervon Johnson made three 3-point shots from the same spot in the right corner during the first quarter on the way to his 15-point night.
“We’re probably averaging eight to 10 3s a game,” Nayadley said. “They’re going to come. It’s just a matter of when. Usually they’re later. Today they were earlier.”
Even so, the outcome was still in the balance when a scoreless Josh Lloyd, although he had five assists, went to the line for a one-and-bonus situation for Ooltewah (15-5, 5-2) with 3.1 seconds left. Lloyd made both shots and that proved to be the final score. Walker Valley’s Jon Tucker missed a jump shot from the right wing at the buzzer, although it appeared his toes were inside the 3-point line.
The Mustangs’ fouled Lloyd because Tucker, who was fouled shooting from behind the arc, failed to miss the third free throw with the score 61-59. Walker Valley coach Bob Williams wanted a miss and was hoping to get a tying basket off a follow.
A key first-half stretch was the Owls’ 13-0 run that spanned the late first quarter and early second and turned a deficit into a 28-18 lead. Wesley Richey had a 12-point second quarter and all of his 17 points came before halftime.
“First we dig a hole like that in the first half,” Williams said. “Then the second quarter we looked out of gas, and Ooltewah turned it up a little bit.”
Tyler Whitman contributed 14 points for Ooltewah and Mikhail Creech, who was 4-for-5 from the floor, scored 11.
Drew Zaleta’s 18 points and Trent Nunnelly’s 17 rebounds paced Walker Valley (15-8, 5-4). Josh Williams was 7-for-7 shooting for his 14 points and added eight rebounds. Cody Burrell scored 11 and Tucker ended with nine points and eight assists.