CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville High girls’ basketball team traveled to Northeast High School for the District 13-4A championship game against the Rossview Lady Hawks. While it was a back-and-forth battle early on, the Lady Wildcats pulled away late using clutch stops and timely scoring for a 51-28 win.
With the victory, Clarksville High extended their undefeated season and won their third consecutive district championship title.
When the game first began, Rossview’s defensive intensity held Clarksville High in check. The Wildcats were held scoreless after the first 4 minutes of play, while only scoring 9 points in the first quarter.
While the Lady Hawks struggled with offensive consistency themselves, they were able to keep the score within two points at the halftime break. Rossview head coach Clay Head said after the first half, they felt like they were in a good spot.
“The first half went really well for us,” Head said. “We were just ice cold from the field, and then there were times we just couldn’t get shots. No matter what, our girls played hard, played to the end and never gave up, so we’re proud of that effort.”
‘We had to play through adversity’
Early in the third quarter, things were looking grim for Clarksville High. A string of turnovers and fouls gave Rossview momentum, and after Imari Berry tallied her fourth foul, it seemed like everything was going wrong for the Wildcats.
However, CHS junior guard Marlon Smith then entered the game. While she only finished the night with 16 points, Smith was the main ball handler, and was not only scoring in clutch moments, but orchestrating the offense and dishing out assist after assist.
“We had to play through adversity, that’s all it was,” Smith said. “It’s nothing we haven’t gone through before. We just wanted it, trusted each other and were able to overcome it.”
The Wildcats would go on to put on a defensive clinic against the Hawks in the second half, holding them to only 13 points and winning 51-28.
Clarksville High senior guard Imari Berry led her team in scoring with 25 points as she helped lead CHS to their third straight district title. As the Wildcats prepare for the next round of the playoffs, head coach Brian Rush is fully aware that nothing is promised anymore.
“When you go into regionals, records don’t matter, you don’t get to take it with you,” Rush said. “It’s an elimination game, and we have to go out there and play well if we want our season to continue. The good thing is, we’re going to play at home.”
Top scorers
Clarksville High: Imari Berry – 25 points; Malon Smith – 16 points; Shakiah Vance – 5 points; Ella Moore – 3 points; Ally Howard – 2 points.
Rossview High: Torri James – 11 points; Baylee Williams – 4 points; Jaliyah Williams – 4 points; Neveah Brown – 3 points; Madisyn Thomason – 3 points; Jai Jordan – 2 points; Ellie Hankemeier – 1 point.
All-District team and Player of the Year
Following the game, the district 13-4A all district and all tournament teams, plus the player and coach of the year were announced.
Here’s everyone that was recognized on the night.
Elsewhere in Clarksville:
- Springfield High defeated the Kirkwood Cobras girls’ basketball team 42-24 in the district 13-4A consolation game.
- The Northwest High Lady Vikings defeated West Creek High in the consolation game in district 14-4A.