Oak Ridge High School

Unbeaten and regarded as a strong contender for the Tennessee Class AAA title, Oak Ridge had reached the state semifinals the year before, losing to eventual champion Chattanooga Brainerd by two points. Steve Shipley, a 1972 Dobyns-Bennett graduate, returned all his key players and added sophomore Scotty Redmond (6-3, 11 points, seven rebounds). Western Kentucky signee Darryl Miller, a strong 6-6 post, averaged 22 points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots. The Wildcats went ten deep, had beaten Science Hill and Dobyns-Bennett, and last won 73-67 at Morristown West. 11-0 coming in.