Ooltewah Owls Basketball
2008-2009

Ooltewah gets sweep in 6-AAA tournament

By: Kelley Smiddie

When it came down to crunch time of Wednesday’s boys’ game in the District 6-AAA high school basketball tournament, Ooltewah coach Jesse Nayadley said he stressed to his players the importance of cutting off the driving lanes against their quick opponent. “Make them hit a jump shot,” he said. Central’s Frank Rice ended up with an open look at the basket from the left wing in the waning seconds, but his potential game-winner from behind the arc bounced off the rim to the Owls’ Isaiah Swanson, who dribbled out the remainder of a 46-44 victory. Ooltewah also won Wednesday’s girls’ game, edging Soddy-Daisy 36-32. The remainder of the tournament at Red Bank is Friday. Ooltewah (11-11) plays Red Bank in the girls’ final at 6 p.m. Soddy-Daisy (12-14) plays Ooltewah (19-9) in the boys’ final at 8. Action begins at 3 with Central’s girls (5-16) taking on Soddy-Daisy (14-12) and Central’s boys (17-7) facing Red Bank (16-13) in the consolation games. Central led from the time it broke a tie at 7 until Edward Stoutemire’s 3-pointer from the right wing off an Ooltewah inbound pass made it 27-27 with 6:13 left in the third quarter. “Fortunately for us we were only down four at the half,” Nayadley said. “They had outplayed us on hustle. That’s as hard as I’ve seen them play. Give Central credit.” Jerome Montgomery’s length-of-the-floor drive for the first points of the fourth quarter put the Owls ahead 40-39. They maintained the lead the rest of the way, albeit by three points or less. Montgomery and Sammy Seamster totaled 12 points apiece for Ooltewah and combined for 15 rebounds. Jason Jenkins was a force inside with 13 rebounds and seven blocked shots. “They got no second-chance shots in the second half,” Nayadley said. “Jason and Sammy got some man rebounds, along with a few blocks at the end.” Patrick Moore had 17 points for Central and Volonte Bell added 10.

Ooltewah, Brainerd Advance To Freshman Title Game
Owls, Panthers Play Next Week In Scenic City Final
by special report to The Chattanoogan
posted February 8, 2009

Ooltewah and Brainerd advanced to next week’s final during the Scenic City Freshmen Basketball Tournament on Saturday at Red Bank High School.

Top-seeded Ooltewah earned a bye in the opening round and then defeated Red Bank, 63-53.

Brainerd defeated Notre Dame, 87-52, and then beat East Ridge, 66-56, for its spot in the final next Saturday at Red Bank.

OOLTEWAH 63, RED BANK 53: T.J. Warren led Ooltewah with 16 points while Jarvon Johnson added 13 and Micheal Creech scored 11.

For Red Bank, Try Suttles had 13 points and Ben Deres added 12.
Game 4
Ooltewah 64 16 28 18 18
Red Bank 53 18 26 18 12

Red Bank Ooltewah
Trey Suttles 13 TJ Warren 16
Deres Ben 12 Michea Creech 11
McDuffie 9 Jarvon Johnson 13
Maddix 9 Arnold 12
Hargis 7 Moten 6
Armstong 2 Wilson 3
Bynum 2 Holder 2

Red Bank Survives Ooltewah, Rallies For 67-59 Win
posted February 5, 2009

Photo by Greg Davick Coach Cherne in his shorts with Coach Nayadley in the background.

Red Bank head coach John Cherne is trying to get his team to relax. That was not an easy task Thursday night playing in the nest at Ooltewah. The message seemed to sink in during the final quarter of play despite a seven point lead by the Owls.

Red Bank rallied to win the game by eight, 67-59.

"Down the stretch they did a great job," Cherne said. "They had a lot of composure especially some of the guys that went to state last year. Before the game we talked about having fun and I think they were able to do that at the end."

One of those guys on that state qualifying team is Bradley Britt who struggled in the first half but hit back to back tres to get Red Bank back in the game with 2:41 left in the game.

Ooltewah had built a 51-44 lead after a Tyler Whitman three and a steal and layup by Edward Stoutamire.

Britt's second three gave Red Bank a one point lead at 54-53.

Ooltewah's Jason Jenkins hit two smooth shots from the high post to give the Owls a three point lead but it was all Red Bank from that point on.

Stoutamire's baseline jumper with 1:29 left were the Owl's last points.

Nick Ross was fouled on a three pointer, made the bucket and added one to give the Lions a 61-59 lead with 1:04.

Red Bank would hit two of their final four free throws to seal the win.

Kelvin Clay finished with 17 points. Ross had 16 points, 13 of those in the second half. Britt had 15 and Avery Davis had 11.

Ooltewah was led by Jerome Montgomery with 18 points and Sammy Seamster with 11. Seamster had eight rebounds and Tyler Whitman had six. Josh Lloyd had nine assists.

The two teams will play again on Friday at Red Bank.

"There will some angst tomorrow night," Cherne said. "But will see how they handle it."

Coach Cherne took five days off late last week to attend his father's funeral. Cherne wore shorts in honor of his father who had asked to be buried in shorts and a t-shirt. Cherne said he will continue the look for the rest of the season in honor of his father.

Red Bank improves to 13-11 overall and 4-1 in the district. Ooltewah is 3-1 in the district.

Scoring Summary:

Scores by Quarter:
Red Bank..... 5 20 15 25 - 67
Ooltewah...... 9 15 14 21 - 59

Red Bank (67) Clay 17, Ross 16, Britt 15, Davis 11, Payne 4, Wise 2, Thomas 2
Ooltewah (59) Montgomery 19, Seamster 11, Stoutamire 6, Whitman 6, Jenkins 6, Myricks 4, Adams 2, Lloyd 2

Three pointers: Ooltewah 4 (Montgomery 3, Whitman 1); Red Bank 6 (Ross 2, Britt 2, Davis 2)