Oakland’s bench celebrates a play against Rockvale during their District 10-4A tournament finals game at Siegel on Tuesday night. MICHAEL GIGLIO
The Oakland boys’ basketball team made it a clean sweep by defeating Rockvale 57-54 at Siegel High School to claim the District 10-4A title at Siegel.
It was Oakland’s ninth consecutive win to move the Patriots to 12-15 and the school’s first title since 2019. Rockvale fell to 17-10.
For first year coach Tony Rutland, it was his second district tournament title at two different schools in Rutherford County.
In 2023, his La Vergne Wolverines defeated Cane Ridge on the road in overtime the first of three consecutive sectional appearances for the school.
“When we had those 15 losses, we were playing for ourselves and it has been a journey,” Oakland sophomore Malik Sanders said. “But now we are playing as a team, and it is a credit to our seniors, and we are doing what the coaches are telling us to do and buying in.”
The region tournament Saturday matchups are as follows: Smyrna (13-12) at Oakland (12-15), La Vergne (1-25) at Rockvale (17-10) Siegel (11-18) at Blackman (23-4), Riverdale (6-20) at Stewarts Creek (15-12). All games begin at 7 p.m. at the highest-seeded team.
Oakland jumped out to a 15-8 lead behind Sanders as he scored 10 of his 21 points in the opening quarter. Rockvale came back in the second half, tying the game twice — the last time at 35-35 before the Patriots took a 43-37 lead to the final quarter.
The fourth quarter was a mad dash. Oakland was up six at 47-41, but it was close as 52-50. Rockvale had a chance to tie the game but turned it over as Sanders got the steal and was fouled.
Rockvale had one last chance with six seconds. The Rockets inbounded it near their bench and drove trying to pitch it in the corner, but the shooter had it go off his hands out of bounds with one-tenth of a second.
BOX SCORE
Oakland (57:) Malik Sanders 21, Josh Wiley 19, Yeshiyah Cobb 9, Kamani Bass 4, Eli Bell 4.
Rockvale (54): Alijah France 14, Kaleb Lewis 13, Jaiden Smith 10, Arden Lewis 7, Cason Osinioye 7, Dallas Pauldo 3.
Tuesday Scoreboard
Girls
Division II Middle Region 3
CAK 64, MTCS 62 (MTCS eliminated)
Boys
9-4A Tournament
Finals: Blackman 63, Stewarts Creek 43
Consolation: La Vergne 69, Smyrna 65
10-4A Tournament
Finals: Oakland 57, Rockvale 54
Consolation: Riverdale 51, Siegel 47
District 10-1A
Finals: Eagleville 77, Santa Fe 47
District 8-3A Tournament
Consolation: Watertown 56, Central Magnet 52
Oakland’s Malik Sanders pulls up for a shot against Rockvale during their District 10-4A tournament finals game at Siegel on Tuesday night. MICHAEL GIGLIO
Oakland’s Eli Bell goes for the block against Rockvale’s Caelen Buckingham during their District 10-4A tournament finals game at Siegel on Tuesday night. MICHAEL GIGLIO
Oakland’s Josh Wiley passes the ball as Rockvale’s Alijah France defends during their District 10-4A tournament finals game at Siegel on Tuesday night. MICHAEL GIGLIO
Rockvale’s Cason Osinioye goes to the goal against Oakland during their District 10-4A tournament finals game at Siegel on Tuesday night. MICHAEL GIGLIO
Rockvale’s Alijah France shoots from the corner as Oakland’s Eli Bell flies in for the block during their District 10-4A tournament finals game at Siegel on Tuesday night. MICHAEL GIGLIO