CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Oftentimes in sports, revenge is always a dish best served cold in a win-or-go-home scenario. After falling to Wilson Central last season in the first round of the Region 5AAA tournament, Rossview girls basketball seized a 57-39 victory to avenge last season’s loss to the Lady Wildcats.
Rossview girls basketball coach Justin Woods believes the win is perhaps even more significant after remembering their season was cut short last year at the hands of the same opponent.
“Yeah it does make it sweeter,” Woods answered. “As soon as we found out who we were playing, the girls all looked at each other and said, ‘revenge game’. That’s who they wanted to play. To come out and play the way they did tonight, was obviously impressive.”
After shaking off some early jitters, the Lady Hawks were able to intercept passing lanes time and time again, leading to easy baskets in transition. Woods raved about his team’s defensive effort after the game.
“I thought our pressure was a huge difference tonight,” Woods said. “We wanted to turn the tempo up and make them play a little faster than they’re comfortable with. They’re more of a half-court team who runs a lot of sets. I thought our defense was really stifling. We forced a ton of turnovers late in the game by switching from zone press to man press and were able to go on a big run from there.”
Courteney Daniels was key for Rossview in the first half, rattling off five consecutive points to build the lead to 12-6.
District 10-AAA Player of the Year Kayla Gilmore sent the Lady Hawk fans into a frenzy midway through the fourth quarter.
The senior forward rejected a Lady Wildcat shot attempt, tracked down the loose ball and then dished it ahead to Daniels for two points.
“That was a big momentum shift,” Woods said of the play. “I thought our crowd was great tonight. When we made a big play, they were so loud it was almost deafening and I thought the girls fed off that.”
With six minutes left to play in regulation, the game’s leading scorer Ever Walker came up lame after knocking down a floater in the paint. She was carried off by the trainer and forced to miss the rest of the contest.
“It was a nasty cramp,” Walker said of the injury. “It was tough to get back to my feet because it was hurting really bad.”
Emoni Collier stepped up in Walker’s absence, scoring seven fourth-quarter points to help Rossview pull away down the stretch.
Walker had a game-high 17 points followed by Daniels with 13 points and Collier with 11 points.
Campbell Strange and Nicole Brill led Wilson Central with 12 points each.
Rossview will have its work cut out moving forward, as they get set to take on Beech in the Region 5AAA semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Monday at Springfield High.
The Lady Buccaneers advanced after trouncing the Lady Hawks’ district foe Henry County 66-25 in their matchup.
“We’ve seen them once this year,” Woods said. “They’re a tough team and defend hard like we do. I think it’ll be a tight game. We’re going to have to bring our lunchpail and I think they will too. It’s just one of those games where it’s going to be decided on toughness. I think seeing them once before this season will help because of their pressure and physicality, so I think we’ll be ready for it.”
