CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Clarksville Academy girls basketball team traveled to William Workman Gymnasium for a matchup with the Clarksville High Wildcats on Thursday night. The Cougars led for the opening 29 minutes of the contest before Clarksville took the lead late. Academy tied it back up with 31 seconds left, but two game-winning free throws from Wildcats guard Shakiah Vance gave the lead back to Clarksville, and they held on for a 37-35 win.
The contest was a physical affair from the start, with both teams scrapping and clawing for every rebound, loose ball, and point. The three-pointer fell for the Cougars in the first half, connecting on four total, including three from sophomore guard Layla Clark, and that was the difference at the half, with Academy leading 20-15.
The third quarter was more of the same story, physical play and back-and-forth battles, but Clarksville Academy always kept the lead. Heading into the fourth quarter, when Wildcats head coach Ellie Treanton earned her first career technical, the Cougars looked as if they might pull away. Enter Wildcats guard Katelyn Fox, who crashed the offensive glass relentlessly for two putback buckets in the fourth quarter, ending the night with 12 points, and giving the Wildcats momentum. Forward Ally Howard drained a three with three minutes remaining to finally give Clarksville its first lead of the contest.
“We came out and couldn’t put the ball in the ocean early, but I’m proud of their desire to continue to be in that game,” said Treanton. “It was a great team effort on both ends to continue to fight and hang around, and eventually pull ahead.”
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The Cougars wouldn’t go quietly, though, as reigning Clarksville Now Player of the Week Sicily Robinson drained her free throws to tie the game back up at 35. With 30 seconds remaining, the Wildcats ran a few motion sets before finally getting guard Shakiah Vance room to drive, as she was fouled on the way to the basket with 6.9 seconds left. Vance drained both, putting a bow on her 16-point night leading all scorers, but the Cougars still had a chance to win it at the buzzer, and the shot rimmed in and out, securing the Wildcats a win on their home floor, their first home win of the season.
Coaches’ corner
With the loss, the Cougars are now on a four-game skid after starting the season 5-0. For head coach Charles Clark and his squad, he appreciates the effort and physicality from his team, but recognizes that some changes are needed for the Academy to return to winning ways.
“The girls competed all night, were engaged, just a few plays here and there down the stretch made the difference,” said Clark. “We made some big stops at times and scored when we needed to, just didn’t swing our way. Give Vance credit, she’s a great player and gave us fits tonight. It’s probably good for us psychologically to have to come back tomorrow on a short turnaround. My message to the girls is to bring the same effort and energy, and get back to the things that win ball games.”
As for Clarksville, this is their second win on the season, and their second against an in-city opponent. This kind of gritty, hard-nosed, come-from-behind win is one that can start a run, and that’s exactly what Treanton and her squad hope to do.
“We’ve been in close games like this all year, to finally get one and get over the hump is huge,” said Treanton. “We will be able to use that moving forward, and my kids have proven to themselves that they can fight through games like this and win them.”
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