CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A precursor to the 2019-20 high school basketball season took place Thursday, Nov. 14 on Dave Loos Court inside the Dunn Center.
Northeast vs. West Creek (Girls)
West Creek girls basketball took on Northeast to kick off the 2019 TOA Jamboree inside the Dunn Center.
Northeast’s full-court pressure gave West Creek fits, resulting in numerous points off of turnovers and an eventual 27-0 win.
“That’s exactly what I wanted to see from my group tonight,” said Northeast girls basketball coach Tracie Mason-Blair. “We’re kind of small, so I want to put pressure on people.”
In order to make a run this year in District 10, Mason-Blair shared what her team will need to do.
“We just have to keep working hard,” Mason-Blair said. “At times we do very well and in some spurts we do very bad. We have to work on being more consistent in everything that we do. I think if we do that, then maybe we can surprise some people.”
Northeast vs. West Creek (Boys)
In the first boys’ game of the evening, Northeast faced off against West Creek in what was a back-and-forth affair. First-year Northeast boys basketball coach Sam Young saw his team run away with a late lead to pick up a 27-18 win over the Coyotes.
Jaylen Miller got the scoring started for the Eagles, as he drove the lane and finished with a left-handed layup.
With 3:04 remaining in the opening period, Ty Jackson pulled up from deep and hit to make it 8-7 Northeast.
Kamarie Coffey rattled off a 4-0 run all on his own early in the second with a slam dunk coming on a fast break and a made basket in heavy traffic.
The Eagles pulled away after an Isaiah Farrior two-point make put Northeast out in front for good.
Clarksville Academy vs. Clarksville High (Girls)
Despite getting off to a slow start, Clarksville Academy girls basketball showed why they’re still one of the premiere teams in the Clarksville area after defeating Clarksville High 29-19.
Sydneey Boykin appears to be primed and ready to have another big year for the Cougars.
“Obviously she’s talented on both ends, but the special thing about Sydneey is she makes the other players around her elevate their game,” said Clarksville girls basketball coach Carrie Daniels. “It makes a difference when a kid is able to do that.”
Entering year two at CA, Daniels shared how her forward Makayla Artist has begun to come into her own.
“I think that she’s gaining more confidence,” Daniels said. “She’s put in a lot of time in the offseason. She’s still not where she could be and what her potential is, but she’s definitely taking those strides and settling in with the new system.”
The contest was close throughout, until Boykin connected from deep to make it 26-19 with 2:04 left to play.
Clarksville Academy vs. Clarksville High (Boys)
Clarksville High boys basketball made quick work of Clarksville Academy and relied on its speed and quickness to down the Cougars 31-16.
Clarksville boys basketball coach Ted Young shared what he hopes to get out of exhibition contests.
“We make sure that we do not lose a practice day,” Young said. “We practiced all the way up until five o’clock today and got some good running in. This helps with conditioning also. We’re getting focused in front of a crowd and seeing personnel from other teams that we’re going to be playing too. Those kind of things make it special.”
Jaheim Berry knocked down a 3-pointer from the top of the arc, as CHS led 20-7 at the break.
With 3:40 remaining in the contest, Berry recorded a steal and JJ Wheat followed the missed shot in transition to make it 26-12 Wildcats.
The athleticism of Clarksville had Daniel Loos and the rest of the Cougar offense out of sorts throughout. Young likes where his team is defensively to this point of the year.
“We’re going to be challenged on our size a little bit, but we won’t be challenged on our hustle, quickness and heart,” Young said. “I’ll make sure of that.”
Rossview vs. Northwest (Girls)
A bit of an upset occurred in the Rossview and Northwest girls basketball game, as the Vikings pulled out a 20-19 victory.
“I felt okay with it,” said Northwest girls basketball coach Ben Wallace of his team’s performance. “I don’t think we’re in as good of shape as I want us to be. I’m pleased with the effort and we managed to come out on top so that’s always good.”
Sophomore Tamia Scott was a factor on both ends of the floor. She finished the contest with multiple blocked shots and made her presence felt offensively.
“She can be really special and top of the line,” Wallace said. “I want her to get better defensively, but on the offensive side she can do just about anything she wants. We call her slinky because of her long arms. She has a really high ceiling and I love her to death.”
Maggie Croom gave the Hawks some early breathing room by hitting a contested two-pointer and following it up by knocking down an open three.
Northwest battled back after Madison King cut the deficit to 15-14.
“Madison is critical for us,” Wallace said. “If we want to play against good teams and have a chance to win, Madison has to be there for us. She’s our most experienced player. She just needs to relax a little and she’s going to have some really nice nights for us.”
Emiya Cobb recorded the final go-ahead basket for the Vikings.
Rossview vs. Northwest (Boys)
Rossview boys basketball got off to a hot start as a Hawk 3-pointer made it 14-5 with 2:05 remaining in the first period.
Exceptional guard play down the stretch allowed the Hawks to take over the game.
“We came out and competed,” Rossview boys basketball coach Johnny Jackson said of his team. “If we have any experience it would be in the backcourt with K.J., Bryant and Spencer. We got all 15 guys in tonight and I thought we communicated well.”
The Vikings didn’t go away easily, but a 9-4 Rossview run late sealed their fate.
Montgomery Central vs. Kenwood (Girls)
In the final girls’ basketball game of the night, Montgomery Central took to the floor against Kenwood. The Knights would win the contest 14-12 on the final shot of regulation in an action-packed second period.
Each team struggled to generate offense early on in a game that saw Central carry a 4-2 lead into the break.
Sophomore Kelli Stump hit two free throws to give the Indians the lead before Kenwood answered back to tie it at 6-6 with 5:34 remaining in the game.
With 3:25 left to play, Iyanna Curtis extended the Knight lead to 10-6 on a steal and lay up.
Indian freshman Sarah Rankhorn tied the game up late, but Chamyra Teasley won it for Kenwood as she beat the buzzer on a shot down low.
Montgomery Central vs. Kenwood (Boys)
In the nightcap, Kenwood boys basketball took on Montgomery Central. The Knights scored early and often to pick up a 44-13 victory in the final game of the TOA Jamboree.
The Knights were impressive throughout, but may have suffered a critical early season loss in the process. James “Scooter” Williams landed awkwardly early in the second period and was hobbled to say the least leaving the arena.
“I don’t know,” said Kenwood boys basketball coach Jason James on the severity of Williams’s injury. “I think maybe it was an ankle, but I don’t really know anything past that. I’ll get with the trainer, see how bad it is and just kind of go from there.”
The bank was open late Thursday, as Savion Lyle put the Indians on the board first with a three-pointer off of the glass.
Knight senior Kevin McIntosh showed why he belongs in the discussion as one of the top guards in the Clarksville area.
“He’s very important,” James said. “He’s been through some wars. He knows what to expect in every game and we rely on him for that leadership. He can tell the younger guys what our district games are going to be like. We’re glad he had a good game tonight and hopefully he can keep it going.”
James shared what he believes could ultimately make or break the 2019-20 season for Kenwood.
“Whether we can consistently defend or not,” James said. “Defending and rebounding is what keeps you in basketball games. Our goal is to learn how to guard and learn how to rebound not just individually, but together. If we can continue to do that, then hopefully we’ll keep getting better and better.”