Oz steals one at OHS

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Wesley Rather found a wide-open Garrett Miller in the right corner for an 18-ft. jump-shot with 1.2 seconds remaining Tuesday (Dec. 22), as Oliver Springs defeated Oneida 47-46 in an important District 4-A matchup.

The nature of the open shot was controversial, as two apparent offensive fouls helped spring Miller for the game-winner.

But there was nothing controversial about Oliver Springs finding itself in position to win the game after being down by as much as seven points in the final stages of the contest. The Bobcats were able to hang around down the stretch, and claw back at the end.

With seven seconds remaining, Oliver Springs was able to force a jump ball in rear court, giving the Bobcats possession of the basketball and a chance to win the game.

Rue Eskridge was an unlikely hero for Oliver Springs, hitting two key shots in the final 70 seconds. The latter was a 3-point shot with 17.2 seconds remaining to pull the Bobcats within one, 46-45.

Oneida struggled in the first half, scoring just 16 points before the intermission. But Cody Carson scored 22 points in the second half to nearly single-handedly lead Oneida on a tear. The Indians played almost perfect defense in the third quarter, holding Oliver Springs without a field goal, as they turned a 20-16 deficit into a 30-24 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The lead was seven on several occasions in the fourth quarter, including 44-37 with 2:31 remaining after a 3-point shot by Carson.

But a 3-pointer by Rather on the next trip down court spurred the comeback by the Bobcats.

Oliver Springs was able to turn a strong advantage on the boards—out-rebounding Oneida 40 to 20—into 17 second-chance points to keep itself in the game at a time when it appeared that the Indians might be on the verge of wrapping up their third consecutive district win.

Oneida was to have resumed play at the Union County Christmas Tournament in Maynardville earlier this week, and will jump back into regular season action on Tuesday, Jan. 5, with a visit to Wartburg. The Bulldogs are one of several teams expected to compete well into February for the regular season title in a wide-open District 4-A.