CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville High Wildcats and Dickson County Cougars met up at West Creek High School for the Region 7-4A tournament semifinals Monday. After going 0-2 against the Cougars in the regular season, the Wildcats played absolutely physically stifling defense on one end, and guard Shakiah Vance dropped 22 points en route to a 37-29 win.
The Wildcats started the game with their foot on the gas, not allowing a made field goal by Dickson County until seven and a half minutes into the contest. Shakiah Vance was the only Clarksville High player to score in the second quarter, but thankfully, she scored 12 points in the period to give the Wildcats what felt like a huge 24-12 lead at the half.
Dickson wouldn’t go down easy, locking in their defense to hold the Wildcats to a two-point third quarter, and Cougar guard Keeley Webb, the District 14-4A MVP, was starting to heat up. Vance shut down any comeback attempt, though, with seven fourth-quarter points, including a huge and-one layup to ice the contest.
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“Shoutout to our bench, they made our kids work in practice defensively, and it showed on the floor tonight,” said Wildcats head coach Ellie Claus. “The score, especially early, attests to our defensive effort. Basketball is a game of runs, and we knew they were going to have one, but we just took a deep breath, and our kids did a great job of responding.”
What’s next for Wildcats
The Wildcats are now on to the Region 7-4A title game on Wednesday against Henry County, a rematch from last year’s title game that came down to the last shot. Clarksville High has won the last three region titles and looks to win its first under Claus.
“That was a huge win for us,” said Claus. “I’m not sure many people coming into tonight were betting on us, but we bet on us. I’m really proud of them; it has nothing to do with me, they’re the ones that have to go out and perform. Just glad to be playing one more.”
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