The talent-laden Oak Ridge Pioneers — and, in particular, their six seniors — weren’t quite ready for their season to be over.
The Pioneers, ranked No. 1 in the state in Class 7A, withstood early punches and a methodical attack from host Windermere in a Class 7A Region 2 semifinal Tuesday night, overcoming an early double-digit deficit to win 68-58.
“We came into the locker room (at halftime) and our coaches got on us,” Oak Ridge senior Michael James said. “They told us to wake up and that ‘it’s win-or-go-home.’ We’ve got six seniors and we’re trying to win a state championship.