SPRINGFIELD, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Kirkwood Cobras and Clarksville High School Wildcats met for the region 7-4A semifinals on Wednesday. The Cobras built an early lead, and while the Wildcats gave them their best punch, Kirkwood led wire to wire, delivering the knockout to Clarksville ending their season 56-42, and advancing to their first region championship in program history 58-42.
The Cobras started the game out on an 8-0 run, powered by some early scoring from Armani Smith, who finished the night with 20 points, leading Kirkwood. Clarksville quickly turned the intensity up, and neither team could get many shots to fall. Kirkwood held a 10-point lead going into the halftime break.
“We just kept grinding; we knew our pressure would take its toll on them eventually,” said Kirkwood head coach John Stigall. “We were able to eventually use our athleticism to pull away late, and it paid off in the end.”
While Clarksville High stayed stride for stride with the Cobras for most of the third and fourth quarter, they never cut the lead to more than five points the rest of the way. Despite a 13-point effort from Sheldon Huber, Clarksville’s season came to an end. This senior class was the last group that was on the CHS state tournament team in 2022.
“We had played really well as of late, and our game plan was really nice; we just couldn’t get shots to fall,” said Clarksville High head coach Ted Young. “We had to battle from behind and claw back. This team is resilient, especially this senior class. These three seniors – Sheldon, Trey and Kirk – are all going on to play college sports. They’re great kids, and they’re going to be great people.”
As for Kirkwood, they advance to the region championship on Friday against Dickson County.
“We talked to the team; it’s not an elimination game, but it’s pretty dang close,” said Stigall. “Having to play one of those teams in Memphis is way different than hosting them at our place. Hopefully, they understand and will be ready to play on Friday.”
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