CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Kirkwood Lady Cobras traveled down Rossview Road to Rossview High School for a matchup with the Lady Hawks on Friday night. The game was a back-and-forth physical clash, with Kirkwood missing a three-pointer at the horn, allowing Rossview to hold on for a 31-29 win and improve to 5-0 against the Cobras in program history.

The first quarter was what you have come to expect from a Rossview girls game, a low-scoring defensive battle, with Kirkwood getting more looks to fall early. However, the Lady Hawks scored 11 points in the first three minutes of the second quarter, including two three from guard Milania Peak, to swing the momentum their way. The Cobras stole it right back, however, leading 16-14 at the half. Peak ended the night leading all scorers with 12.

“We talked about going in, we have to take care of the basketball,” said Hawks head coach Drew Smith. “We had nine turnovers in the first quarter and almost let it get away from us, but to turn around and only have three in the second, that was huge to stay in the game. When you miss out on shots and give them easy opportunities, those add up. Peak fought through those early turnovers and believed in the player that she was. We don’t have to shoot well, we just have to shoot better than we have.”

The Cobras led 23-21 at the end of the third, and we were set for a dramatic finish. While Rossview forward Ellie Hankemeier had been quiet compared to her normal inside scoring, she took over the game late, scoring eight of her 11 points in the fourth, including a basket with a minute left to take the lead. Kirkwood got two shots to take the lead back, but couldn’t find the bottom of the net, and Rossview escaped with a win in the district rivalry.

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“It was a competitive game with a great atmosphere, it’s just unfortunate our shot didn’t fall,” said Cobras head coach Tenisha Lockridge. “She got a great look, and I will take that shot any day. We just have to keep working hard and understand that we have to play our brand of basketball, no matter the opponent.

For Rossview, it’s always been an almost in close situations. It always seemed that late in tight games, things wouldn’t fall their way, and finally, they did in a big way against their biggest rival. The Hawks will celebrate this and stay undefeated against the Cobras in program history, for now, as they meet up again in three weeks.

“I’m not gonna give you coach speak, it feels freaking awesome,” said Smith. “This season has been filled with adversity, with a new coach, rough losses, but slowly you started to see lightbulbs go off. There was a lot of self-doubt, but finally, they can see that we have enough in the locker room to get it done. They deserve every bit of this.”

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