Patience and composure are not characteristics often attributed to high school students. That can be especially true in prep basketball, where the frenzied and chaotic nature of the game sometimes overshadows fundamentals.
Ooltewah's boys challenged that stereotype Tuesday night against visiting McMinn Central, playing composed, fundamental basketball to win 58-51 over the Chargers. Ooltewah turned the ball over just seven times and were led by senior Greyson Wood with 21 points.
"We talk a lot about cherishing the basketball, and I felt like we did tonight," Owls coach Jay Williams said. "In a situation like we had tonight, we can't afford to give away possessions."
It was a contrast in styles to begin the game. The teams traded baskets early, as Ooltewah (2-1) patiently worked the ball inside and penetrated the gaps in McMinn Central's zone defense, while the Chargers (0-1) were on fire from behind the arc with Isaiah Farrar hitting three 3-pointers.
With just under two minutes left in the quarter, the Owls got a spark from senior Kevin Smith, whose energy off the bench ignited a 13-0 run - with Smith scoring eight of his 10 points - that gave Ooltewah a 23-12 lead midway through the second period.
"Kevin's motor's always running," Williams said. "If everybody played as hard as Kevin does every night, I could be over there in a rocking chair and be just fine."
After clawing back to within six at halftime, McMinn Central used a 13-6 start to the second half to take the lead 36-35, the visitors' first since the opening period. Ooltewah closed the quarter on an 8-0 run, however, and the lead swelled back to seven for the Owls.
Farrar tried to keep the Chargers in it in the fourth quarter, scoring eight points in the period. He had a team-high 19 points, and teammate James Thacker chipped in 13 as the duo hit all eight of McMinn Central's 3s.
After being held to two points in the second and third quarters, Wood scored 10 in the fourth to seal the victory for the Owls. Ooltewah missed only one free throw down the stretch and was 11-of-15 from the charity stripe for the game.
Said Williams: "It was an opportunity early in the season to work on closing out a game. Anything we can do to try to keep getting better will be good for us down the stretch."
Contact Kevin Llewallyn at sports@timesfreepress.com