Olympia girls hoops falls to Oak Ridge in district final | Observer Preps

The Olympia Titans were outscored 17-1 in the second quarter by the Oak Ridge Pioneers and were unable to catch up en route to a 67-43 loss in the Class 9A, District 5 Championship Game.

It was their second lost to the Pioneers this season.

“The biggest thing for us is the disadvantage when it comes to size,” said Olympia coach Thomas Passafaro of the matchup against Oak Ridge. “We’re really a team of guards, so whenever have to play a team like this, we normally hang with them for about two, three quarters and then it just wears on us and the game gets away from us. We’ve been dealing with it all season.”

Despite the loss, Passafaro was proud of his team's effort in the second half.

“I’m always proud of my girls—win, lose or draw,” Passafaro said. “The record doesn’t show how talented this group is. They put in the work every day, they come to games every day ready to play and I couldn’t ask for a better group of girls to coach.”

Shadaria Smith led the Titans (8-20) with 15 points, while Jadyn Russ added 10 points—all of which came in the second half.

With the loss to Oak Ridge (15-12), Olympia will now look to bounce back on Feb. 15 when they go on the road to take on the Tampa's Alonso High Ravens (21-2) in the regional quarterfinals.

“The biggest thing is (for us) to figure out what’s going on with our leading scorer Chenoa Johnson,” said Passafaro, looking ahead to the Ravens. “She had to leave the game (tonight) early with an injury. I’m hoping it’s just minor and she gets to play. That will really be what I’m worried about come Monday and that’ll steer me where my adjustments are going to go.”