CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Zavion Williams is a Clarksville basketball legend. He helped lead the West Creek High boys’ basketball program to their first and only state tournament appearance in school history back in 2011, then suited up for the APSU Governors and legendary coach Dave Loos in college. Now, he’s arguably doing something with an even bigger impact as an assistant coach at Kirkwood High School.
Williams went to Northeast his freshman and sophomore years, then transferred to West Creek for his final two years of high school in 2009-2011. While playing for the Coyotes, Williams averaged 25.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.3 steals, and 2.7 assists a game, leading West Creek to a 28-7 record in the 2010-11 season, the only state tournament appearance in the Coyote’s program history. West Creek retired his jersey in 2023.
Williams told Clarksville Now that his time with West Creek was instrumental in his career.
“All my friends I grew up with were at Northeast, so it was tough not to be around them,” said Williams. “I was a little skeptical at first with it being a brand-new school, and I knew how hard it was to get to state. However, I had the opportunity to make my own identity. I learned how to be a leader, and it helped me buy into my role, and it helped me learn that I needed to do whatever it took to win.”
Hoops with Loos
After Williams spent his freshman year at Lipscomb University, he transferred to Austin Peay State University and suited up under the man their court is now named after Dave Loos. Williams also suited up with current Clarksville Academy head coach Damarius Smith. During his time as a Gov, Williams collected 355 points, 117 assists, and 108 rebounds, while shooting 41% from the field.
“When I got the opportunity to come back, I was ecstatic,” Williams said. “It meant a lot for me to play for my hometown school, where people saw me grow up. It was an honor to play under Loos, and we had a great relationship. He asked me my opinion on a lot of things, and I still call him to this day. DeeDee (Damarius) has always been my dog. We talk after almost every game, that’s my brother.”
Finding a new career
Following his playing career, Williams became an entrepreneur, as a co-owner of FatShack here in Clarksville. He’s also coached around the city at local programs, but when he heard that a new school was opening up, and John Stigall was going to be the head coach, he knew that’s where he wanted to be.
“At the time I hadn’t coaching for about two years,” said Williams. “Stigall had approached me about a new school, and we worked together before at Northeast. We have a great relationship, and we know we want to make our program as much like college as possible. That comfortability and knowing that he was going to let me be myself as a coach, it was an amazing opportunity that was too good to pass up.”
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Now that Williams has been at Kirkwood for two years, and the Cobras have established themselves as one of the top programs in the area, Williams has three goals in mind: success for the student-athletes, success for the program, and success for the city he loves. For him, those things come before everything else.
“I want to do something that hasn’t been done with the public schools: getting that state championship,” said Williams. “I want to see multiple of our kids play at the collegiate level, and see those players succeed. I eventually do want to coach in the collegiate ranks, but I want to make an impact where my feet are now. I’m hoping I’m putting a light on what you can do as someone from Clarksville who’s giving back to the community and setting an example for anyone from Clarksville for all sports.”
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