CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Clarksville Academy girls basketball capped off 2019 with a bang. The Lady Cougars traveled to St. Petersburg, Florida and captured the Keswick Christmas Tournament championship on Monday, December 30, 2019 after sweeping their competition.
“Each game was a little more challenging for us,” said Carrie Daniels, Clarksville Academy girls basketball coach when discussing the field. “Our first game was a great opportunity for the entire team to play. The minutes were spread around and we gained some experience. In the semifinals, we played the host school Keswick Christian. Honestly, it was the worst game we’ve played all year as a team, but I was extremely proud of the girls for buckling down and to get the win in the end.
“In the championship game, we played a solid team,” Daniels said. “They were very much like a Goodpasture team we compete within our district. They made us work for everything and were very patient on the offensive side. I think the biggest thing we took away from the tournament was the experience as a whole. For the young ladies to go down, be away from home in a hotel, and have bonding time as a team, I think was really good.”
In 16 games played this season, Lady Cougar senior guard Sydneey Boykin is averaging a team-high 16.6 points per game and 3.9 steals per game. Daniels gave her thoughts on what it is that makes Boykin a true two-way player.
“I’ve always said that Sydneey plays both ends extremely hard,” Daniels said. “When there was a game or two in the tournament where Sydneey struggled a little bit with her shooting, she was still able to impact the game. Obviously, we need her to score for us and she does, but there are going to be times where she has an off night and others are going to have to step up. I think what stands out about her the most is how she’s able to elevate the game of her teammates.”
Diamond Bryant has burst onto the scene during her junior campaign and is also averaging double figures for the Lady Cougars. Daniels discussed the strides she has seen Bryant make since first coming to CA.
“Diamond has come a long way,” Daniels said. “I always saw the talent and potential that she had, it just wasn’t consistent through her first two seasons. This year, she’s been a lot more confident not only in her shooting, but also in her ball handling. Diamond is one that we lean on heavily defensively because she’s a great defensive player. I’ve really been proud of how she’s stepped up and put the time into working on her game. She’s a player that we can very easily see her making a commitment in the next year and going on to play at the next level.”
Finding the right formula in order to have sustainable success is key in any sport. According to Daniels, it’s simply staying the course that has allowed her team to begin the season with a 16-0 start.
“We always talk about taking it one game at a time,” Daniels said. “Don’t get caught up in what our record is or the end game. We have goals, but at the same time we’re not going to be able to attain them unless we stay grounded. The biggest thing that sticks out to me is the composure of the young ladies. When a team makes a run or gets a lead, they don’t seem to get rattled. They stay the course, do what they have to do and that’s put us right back in the position to win ballgames.”
Daniels inherited a Clarksville Academy program in 2015 that hadn’t had a winning season in over a decade. Since taking over for the Lady Cougars, Daniels has posted a 62-27 record in three seasons (2016-2018).
“First and foremost, it’s about players,” Daniels said of the turnaround. “You have to have players in a program that want to win, that are coachable and that buy in. Now it was a process because when I came in, there had to be a culture change. It’s taken a bit to get us to where we want to be, but again, when you have players that we have that are dedicated and willing to do what it takes, it makes it a whole lot easier on us as coaches.”
Before filling the head coaching vacancy at Clarksville Academy, Daniels spent nine seasons in the same position for the Austin Peay women’s basketball team. Daniels shared how she’s had to tailor her coaching style to effectively reach younger athletes.
“I definitely think I’ve had to tone down some of how I was at the collegiate level,” Daniels. “For example, simplifying terminology and just kind of breaking things down a little bit more to where they understand it. At the collegiate level, it’s more complex in what you look to run and strategies that change based on who you’re playing. I think the biggest thing in high school is you have to stick to the fundamentals. Basketball is basketball. It is a different level, but at the end of the day I still know who I am and am going to coach them up.”
It’s no secret that Daniels is enjoying her time at Clarksville Academy, but she still hasn’t ruled out the possibility of one day returning to the collegiate ranks.
“CA has been very good to me,” Daniels said. “Obviously it’s put me in a position to be there and watch our son play. I would never say that I’m against maybe possibly returning to college one day. It’s all dependent on the opportunities that arise and it being the right situation. It’s a whole different ballgame at the collegiate level. If I ever went back to that, it would have to be a smart decision and a move that is best for me and my family. Right now, I’m happy where I am and love developing these kids and working with the players that we have. I also have an unbelievable staff which makes it that much better as well.”
Clarksville Academy (16-0) hosts Goodpasture (14-2) at 6 p.m. Friday, January 10.