CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Clarksville High boy’s basketball traveled to Murfreesboro Thursday to play in their first state tournament game since 2012.

The Wildcats faced off against the Houston Mustangs at Middle Tennessee State University, looking to advance past the quarterfinals of the 2021 TSSAA Class AAA boys basketball championships.

Clarksville kept it close for three and a half quarters before Houston pulled away down the stretch to win 70-58. It was the first state tournament win in program history for the Mustangs.

Houston boasted three Division I collegiate basketball prospects in its starting five including Oregon signee Jonathan Lawson, Creighton commit Mason Miller and LSU commit Jerrell Colbert.

Despite facing a significant size disadvantage, CHS would not let it deter their confidence throughout.

After falling behind 4-0 to start the contest, the Wildcats clawed back with an 8-0 run of their own to take the lead.

Senior guard Javon Martin knocked down three triples in the first quarter to lead Clarksville on the offensive end of the floor.

With just under three minutes remaining in the second quarter, Jahiem Berry gave the Wildcats a 25-24 lead on two made free throws. The infraction sent Colbert to the bench with his third foul of the first half.

Clarksville struggled to get a shot to fall late in the second quarter, going four and a half minutes without a field goal before Charles Freeman hit from deep to cut the deficit to one point.

Miller, the son of former NBA player Mike Miller, put Houston back out in front 32-29 at the break on a made lay up.

Despite shooting just 35% from the floor and being outrebounded 21-13, the Wildcats were lucky to find themselves only down by one possession at halftime.

Zander Yates came out on fire from the beyond the arc to start the third quarter, hitting two threes to build the Mustang lead to 41-32.

Clarksville was able to take advantage of a foul called on Houston with one second left to play in the third quarter. Arnett Hines connected on both free throws to cut the lead to eight points.

To start the fourth quarter, the Wildcats went on a 5-0 run after a Jaheim McDonald made three and a Freeman two-point basket.

The Mustangs ran away late, outscoring the Wildcats 13-7 over the finals five minutes of regulation to move on to the state semifinals.

Houston (19-3) will take on Oak Ridge (28-5) Friday, March 19, at 8:30 p.m.

JJ Wheat finished with 21 points followed by Freeman with 12 points, Martin with 10 points and McDonald with seven points.

Lawson led all scorers with 25 points while Antonio Madlock had 12 points and Ahmad Nowell recorded nine points.

Clarksville wraps up the 2020-21 season with a 20-6 record.