CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The 2021-22 basketball season kicked off Monday night with the return of the TOA Jamboree at the Dunn Center on the campus of Austin Peay State University.

Each area high school took the floor for an abbreviated, two-quarter game sponsored by the Tennessee Orthopaedic Alliance. This provided players, coaches and fans with a small preview of what’s to come the next few months.

Girls Game 1: Rossview vs. Kenwood

Score: Rossview 26, Kenwood 12

Iyanna Curtis of Kenwood as the Rossview High School girls Hawks play the Kenwood Knights at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Rossview High School girls Hawks play the Kenwood Knights at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Neveah White of Kenwood as the Rossview High School girls Hawks play the Kenwood Knights at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Kenwood coach Shameca Gardner as the Rossview High School girls Hawks play the Kenwood Knights at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Rossview coach Justin Woods as the Rossview High School girls Hawks play the Kenwood Knights at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Madisyn Ogburn as the Rossview High School girls Hawks play the Kenwood Knights at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)

The first action of the season started a little sloppy for both teams, but the Lady Hawks pulled ahead early by snagging rebounds and forcing turnovers. The flood gates began opening late in the contest, with big back-to-back scores from range by Madisyn Thomason.

“With only five days of practice, it’s hard to expect a high level of execution,” Rossview coach Justin Woods said. “But we have been working on our transition offense a lot last week and I thought we showed flashes of what we worked on in practice carrying over to the game tonight.

“I thought Evie Darnell played well for us. She ran the floor, she sealed hard, she finished around the rim, and she was active on defense. You expect your seniors to lead the way for the team and I thought she set the tone tonight.

“Overall I was pleased with what we accomplished tonight. We pushed the ball, we shared the ball and we played with good energy on the defensive end. Plenty to clean up and get better at, but it’s a start.”

Boys Game 1: Rossview vs. Kenwood

Score: Kenwood 29, Rossview 19

Ty Butler as the Rossview High School boys Hawks play the Kenwood Knights at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Jacob Edwards as the Rossview High School boys Hawks play the Kenwood Knights at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Caleb Grady as the Rossview High School boys Hawks play the Kenwood Knights at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Nicholas Boykin as the Rossview High School boys Hawks play the Kenwood Knights at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Jaylen Washington as the Rossview High School boys Hawks play the Kenwood Knights at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Coach Chase Cronin as the Rossview High School boys Hawks play the Kenwood Knights at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Landon Hankemeier as the Rossview High School boys Hawks play the Kenwood Knights at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)

Rossview comes into the season with a big but young starting lineup, best epitomized by 6-foot-4 freshman Houston Hebert. Early on, the Hawks’ length helped them win contested balls and set up senior playmaker Ty Butler to take the lead into the break.

In the second half, however, Kenwood settled down and took advantage of their speed and experience. Jaylen Washington ran the offense well all night, in addition to creating turnovers and breakaways on defense. The Knights’ shooters came on late, cementing the win.

“We need more practice time before we play in front of a crowd,” Rossview coach Johnny Jackson said. “We made plenty of mistakes so we have a lot to work on in practice. The guys have been working really hard in the weight room and we just need to continue to push each other on the practice floor.”

“We lost all five starters from last year, so we just have to gain experience each day,” Jackson added. “No one knows any of our guys…that is fine by me.”

Girls Game 2: Montgomery Central vs. West Creek

Score: West Creek 21, Montgomery Central 5

Montgomery Central High School girls Indians play the West Creek Coyotes at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Addison Beech as the Montgomery Central High School girls Indians play the West Creek Coyotes at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Montgomery Central High School girls Indians play the West Creek Coyotes at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
MCHS coach Brianna Burress as the Montgomery Central High School girls Indians play the West Creek Coyotes at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Keli Madden as the Montgomery Central High School girls Indians play the West Creek Coyotes at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Sarah Rankhorn as the Montgomery Central High School girls Indians play the West Creek Coyotes at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Montgomery Central High School girls Indians play the West Creek Coyotes at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Montgomery Central High School girls Indians play the West Creek Coyotes at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)

Both teams were a bit unsteady early. The Lady Coyotes grew smoother on offense as the game went on, adding to the lead bit by bit. Montgomery Central struggled to find a rhythm offensively, with many passes failing to connect, and fewer shots going down. They are a young team, featuring only two seniors, and look to improve this year.

Boys Game 2: Montgomery Central vs. West Creek

Score: West Creek 22, Montgomery Central 18

Sean La Fortune as the Montgomery Central High School boys Indians play the West Creek Coyotes at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Coach Mike Brown as the Montgomery Central High School boys Indians play the West Creek Coyotes at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Coach Russell Malone as the Montgomery Central High School boys Indians play the West Creek Coyotes at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Josiah Rankhorn defending Branden Dugger as the Montgomery Central High School boys Indians play the West Creek Coyotes at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Hayden Boyd shooting as the Montgomery Central High School boys Indians play the West Creek Coyotes at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Kemari McIntosh as the Montgomery Central High School boys Indians play the West Creek Coyotes at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Josiah Rankhorn shooting as the Montgomery Central High School boys Indians play the West Creek Coyotes at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)

In one of the more competitive matches of the night, West Creek found a lead early with Kemari McIntosh and Sean La Fortune picking Montgomery Central’s pockets and scoring in transition. The Indians fought back with Josiah Rankhorn and Hayden Boyd flexing their size and physicality in the paint on both ends. West Creek remained crisp on offense, but this one stayed close throughout thanks to some late heroics from Marquice Crutcher for Central. Both teams showed promise and should feel good going into the season.

Mike Brown, coach of the Indians, said, “We were excited to get a chance to play in the historic Dunn Center one last time. It was beneficial to get some on court time against an opponent. The team is young but works very hard every day. It is exciting to work with a group of young men who just want to get better and always try their best. We are young and will have some ups and downs but I know these guys will work hard to get better every day.”

Girls Game 3: Clarksville High vs. Northwest

Score: Clarksville High 18, Northwest 14

Northwest High School girls Vikings at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Angel Martin as the Clarksville High School girls Wildcats play the Northwest Vikings at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Emiyah Cobb, left, and Imari Berry as the Clarksville High School girls Wildcats play the Northwest Vikings at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
An’ieya Briscoe as the Clarksville High School girls Wildcats play the Northwest Vikings at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Malon Smith as the Clarksville High School girls Wildcats play the Northwest Vikings at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)

The Lady Vikings returned to action after winning the district tournament last season. They found themselves in a scrappy battle with the Lady Wildcats, who pulled away late behind a great run by Malon Smith on both defense and offense.

Northwest coach Ben Wallace said, “I knew coming in tonight that our play against CHS was going to be chaotic at the best. We have had 6 practices so far and are far from being ready to play. We have lots that we need to work on over the next few days as we develop the habits needed to win a championship.

“Our schedule is very tough this year with few easy games. We are going to need to be consistent in our mindset and be ready to play every night. We are very capable and the sky is the limit as to how far we can go but it is going to be a big challenge. For us to succeed we have to learn how to play with higher expectations than we have had in the past. We will also need to pay attention to the small details to be successful.”

Clarksville coach Brian Rush shared Wallace’s thoughts on the details, saying, “Tonight was a great opportunity for teams to get out and play against different competition than who they are playing against everyday in practice. Loved the effort tonight, but it shows we have to work on the little things. … It’s the little things that count.”

Looking ahead, Rush said, “The team is working hard and learning everyday. We’ll focus on continuing that trend with an eye on opening night next Tuesday. We need to grow as a team and merge our young players with our returning players to be the best we can be.”

Boys Game 3: Clarksville High vs. Northwest

Score: Clarksville High 34, Northwest 22

Clarksville High School boys Wildcats play the Northwest Vikings at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Servonte Williams Clarksville High School boys Wildcats play the Northwest Vikings at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Clarksville High School boys Wildcats play the Northwest Vikings at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Joseph Schreiber, left, and Isaiah Kendrell, right, as the Clarksville High School boys Wildcats play the Northwest Vikings at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
JJ Wheat as the Clarksville High School boys Wildcats play the Northwest Vikings at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Jaheim Berry as the Clarksville High School boys Wildcats play the Northwest Vikings at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Arnett Hines, right, and Damiah Smith, left, as the Clarksville High School boys Wildcats play the Northwest Vikings at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Daferlin Walls shoots as the Clarksville High School boys Wildcats play the Northwest Vikings at the CMCSS basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)

In not-so-breaking news, JJ Wheat is an impressive player. He continued his winning ways for the Wildcats and remains one of the top players in the district to watch. This game was more lopsided than the score might indicate; Clarksville opened a big enough lead for coach Ted Young to take most of his starters out in the second period.

Girls Game 4: Clarksville Academy vs. Northeast

Score: Northeast 14, Clarksville Academy 13

Shinae Johnson, left, as the Northeast High School girls Eagles play the Clarksville Academy Cougars at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Nevaeh Brooks as the Northeast High School girls Eagles play the Clarksville Academy Cougars at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Cierra Bowser as the Northeast High School girls Eagles play the Clarksville Academy Cougars at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Adryanna Smith, left, and Shinae Johnson, right, as the Northeast High School girls Eagles play the Clarksville Academy Cougars at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Krysonie Mitchell, left, and Savannah Prather, right, as the Northeast High School girls Eagles play the Clarksville Academy Cougars at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Coach Tracie Mason-Blair as the Northeast High School girls Eagles play the Clarksville Academy Cougars at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)

This game matched what one might expect from an early-season exhibition. Neither team found much of a flow, with many turnovers both forced and unforced. The pace remained slow throughout, with Northeast squeezing out the win in the end.

Commenting on her Lady Eagles, coach Tracie Mason-Blair said, “The girls played hard and together. We have to make layups and free throws. I have 5 seniors and they are determined to make this year their best. Staying positive and supporting each other will be key.”

Cougars coach Charles Clark said, “We’ve practiced 6 times, my expectations were to get everyone in and have a chance to play in front of a live crowd for the first time. For a number of our players, this was the first time playing in a venue like APSU with this many people. Obviously we would like to continue to create positive habits on the floor.”

Clark continued, “We’ve had to teach or reteach as well as work through some injuries with low numbers therefore we’ve been limited with getting up and down the floor in game like situations.
It’s a relatively new team with only a handful of girls coming back from last year’s team. It’s going to take some time to fully feel comfortable and execute the roles expected. But we fully expect to make a deep run in the postseason and everything we’re doing is to work for the postseason tournament.”

Boys Game 4: Clarksville Academy vs. Northeast

Score: Clarksville Academy 31, Northeast 23

Dailen Hairston as the Northeast High School boys Eagles play the Clarksville Academy Cougars at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Eddie Ricks, left, and Dailen Hairston, right, as the Northeast High School boys Eagles play the Clarksville Academy Cougars at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Trae Rideau as the Northeast High School boys Eagles play the Clarksville Academy Cougars at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Taylor Carney as the Northeast High School boys Eagles play the Clarksville Academy Cougars at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Dez Fort, left, and Keith Richburg, right, as the Northeast High School boys Eagles play the Clarksville Academy Cougars at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Coach Tyler Hickman as the Northeast High School boys Eagles play the Clarksville Academy Cougars at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Coach Samuel Young as the Northeast High School boys Eagles play the Clarksville Academy Cougars at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)
Trae Rideau as the Northeast High School boys Eagles play the Clarksville Academy Cougars at the basketball jamboree on Nov. 8, 2021. (Ryan Vinson)

In terms of fireworks, what the girls match between these schools lacked, the boys game made up for – and then some. The most spirited contest of the night, this felt like a big-stakes rivalry showdown rather than a jamboree show match. In the first quarter, Northeast senior Taylor Carney found himself ejected after a technical foul. Clarksville Academy responded by taunting after their scores, earning their own technical.

When things calmed down, Clarksville Academy’s standout player Eddie Ricks took over and the Cougars never looked back. Ricks will certainly remain a contender for the title of best player in the city this season.