CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Dickson County Cougars girls’ basketball team paid a visit to the Cobras from Kirkwood on Thursday, December 14 for a region matchup. The Cobras battled throughout but fell to Dickson County 49-31.
In their first official season, the Kirkwood High girls’ basketball team had been tasked with keeping the reigning region runner-up under wraps. The Cobras found ways to limit the Cougars offensive production, but Dickson County remained efficient enough to win the game.
“We try to pride ourselves on defensive intensity” said Kirkwood head coach Chris Carney. “Dickson is a really good team, and they showed us some weaknesses in our defense that we need to fix.”
The Cobras did not go out quietly, as they hustled for every rebound and dove on the floor for every loose ball. The effort the cobras showed is something coach Carney says is part of their culture.
“We pride ourselves on looking at each other and saying hey, no matter what the score is we play hard,” Carney said. “It’s a never quit kind of attitude we keep regardless of situation.”
Kirkwood scoring leaders: Davis Collins – 8 points; Jordin Moore – 5 points; Channing Jones – 5 points; Patience Young – 4 points; Alanna Mays – 4 points; Lori James – 2 points; Rayonia Miller – 2 points; Jesscia Mayes – 1 point.
Kirkwood High boys’ basketball
“The Pit” at Kirkwood High School was the location for an instant classic between the Cougars and Cobras on Thursday. The Cobras fell after a late surge from the Cougars, 66-62.
Both teams exchanged blows in the first half, playing intense defense and scoring when needed. Every time it seemed like one team might pull away, the other would answer. The teams were all knotted up at 28 when both sides went into the half.
“We’re a young team and we made some mistakes, but we did a good job building the lead at times.” said Kirkwood head coach John Stigall. “We just have to learn how to win the Kirkwood way.”
Out of the half, the Cobras were on fire, stringing together some stops and scores, including key buckets from Armani Smith who had 23 on the night, and was one of two Cobras in double figures. Kirkwood led by 10 at the end of the third.
“That’s a hard team to scout, there’s not much scheming you can do against them.” said Stigall. “We challenged them to take some pride out of the half and we were able to build a lead.”
However, entering the fourth quarter of action, it seemed as though Dickson County couldn’t miss, and Kirkwood began to score less frequently. The gym came alive as both teams traded buckets late, but a three-point field goal from the Cougars John Ham led to Kirkwood having to foul, and some clutch free throws.
This led the Cobras to lose the game 66-62. While it obviously wasn’t the result they wanted, there were plenty of positive takeaways for Kirkwood High.
“We’re right there, we just have to learn how to finish.” said Stigall. “We had three freshmen in at the end of the game, we’re without our starting point guard, there’s a lot of things that we can take from this. We went toe to toe with one of the better teams in the region.”
Kirkwood High scoring leaders: Armani Smith – 23 points; Prophet Basden – 12 points; Thomas King – 9 points; Chance Austin – 8 points; Kobey Jones – 5 points; Taetum Carney – 3 points; Arron Hines – 2 points.