SPRINGFIELD, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Kirkwood Cobras, Springfield Yellow Jackets, Clarksville Wildcats and Rossview Hawks all met up at Springfield High School for the District 13-4A tournament semifinals on Tuesday. Kirkwood and Springfield both earned double-digit victories, advancing them to the district championship on Thursday. Rossview and Clarksville will face off in the consolation game on Thursday.
Kirkwood’s second-half surge
The Rossview Hawks gave everything the No. 1 seed could handle in the first half. Despite starting the game down 12-2, they only trailed by six at the half. However, the Cobras scored 23 points in the third quarter, powered by 18 points from Armani Smith, and they pulled away for a 69-55 win. Kirkwood now advances to their second straight district championship in their only two years of existence.
“This what we’ve worked all year for,” said Cobras head coach John Stigall. “Give credit to coach Jackson and his squad; they played us tougher than anybody. We’ve tried to establish a championship program from scratch. We put ourselves in a position to do that last year, we just ran into one of the best teams in Clarksville ever. Everything is in place for us to take the next step, we just have to take it.”
As for Rossview, they head to the consolation game against Clarksville, and will either travel to Northwest or Henry County in an elimination game on Saturday for the Region 7-4A quarterfinal.
“It was the little things that hurt us,” said Hawks head coach Johnny Jackson. “Our free throw shooting wasn’t great, we didn’t make layups, and we were inconsistent boxing out. You’re not going to beat good teams doing that. Now, every game matters more, and we just need to come out Thursday and give our best effort. Saturday we’re either gonna leave it all out there, or it’ll be over with, and I think our guys will respond.”
Springfield dominates Clarksville
The Clarksville Wildcats and Springfield Yellow Jackets battled back and forth, with lots of strong play down low and players diving for loose balls in the first half. Springfield led by six heading into the break. However, the second half told another story, as Springfield heated up, and the Wildcats couldn’t find the bottom of the net. The Jackets led by as many as 25 points, and earned a 69-54 win.
“We were really flowing in the first half, but we just met a hot team on their home floor,” said Clarksville head coach Ted Young. “They’re athletic, and skilled, and we just have to lick our wounds. Our focus right now is Saturday’s game. Thursday’s game, you want to win it, but it means nothing, and Saturday is our focus.”
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