CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The 2025-26 Clarksville area boys basketball season was a fun one, with underdog stories, iconic games, and some of the best basketball we’ve seen in Clarksville. Let’s take a look at the standout athletes from this season.
First team
Jiyair Rose, Guard, Rossview- If there were a most improved award, Rose would get it, and what makes that statement even more ridiculous is that Rose was on the All-Area second team last year; that’s how good Rose’s senior season was. The second all-time leading scorer at Rossview and the record holder for single-game scoring with 41, Rose averaged 19.3 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 2.2 steals a contest.
Armani Smith, Guard, Kirkwood- A BCAT All-State selection, Smith was the driving force in the Cobras district and region championship season. Smith averaged 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals a contest. Smith currently holds Division I offers, including one from Austin Peay.
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Jacquez Scott, Guard, Northwest- After Scott and the Vikings fell in the district title game during his junior season, he made a promise to himself that he wouldn’t let it happen again. A year later, he stood in front of a sold-out crowd holding a gold plaque as the District 14-4A MVP. Scott averaged 19 points, seven rebounds, and five assists a contest.
Bryce Garnett, Guard, Kirkwood- The state leader in three pointers made, Garnett was an absolute sniper from beyond the arc. In a season where he eclipsed 1,000 career points and collected All-District, All-Tournament, and All-Region honors, Garnett averaged 18 points, five rebounds, and four assists a contest.
Christian Taylor, Forward, Kenwood- Taylor kept the Knights afloat with his high energy and high-flying style of play. The forward was an all-district and all-tournament selection, averaging 20 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
Second team
Kameron Bowers, Guard, West Creek- Bowers, a four-year starter for the Coyotes, was the primary ball handler for West Creek. Bowers averaged 20 points, seven rebounds, and two steals during his senior campaign.
Jonathon Johnson, Guard, Montgomery Central- Johnson, the district 11-3A MVP, was a fantastic addition to the Indians’ squad, who earned their first regular-season district title in over 20 years. Johnson averaged 16 points, five assists, five rebounds, and 2.5 steals in his junior season.
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Noah Nicholson, Guard, Montgomery Central- The sharpshooter for the Indians, Nicholson was a threat to score as soon as he passed half court. He averaged 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, and 1.5 steals in his senior year.
Isreal Dillard, Forward, Rossview- Dillard did the dirty work down low for the Hawks, using his long frame and smooth touch to score down low. Dillard averaged 13.1 points, eight rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and one block a contest en route to being an all-district and all-tournament selection.
Jarohn Johnson, Forward, Clarksville Academy- Johnson is an explosive athlete who can not only hurt you down low, but also make you pay from range. Johnson averaged 13.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, three assists, and 1.5 steals, while being named District MVP.
Third team
Tobias Santiago, Guard, Northwest- Santiago helped lead the Vikings to a district title in his senior campaign. Tobias averaged 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists and was an all-district and all-tournament selection.
Tahj Davie, Forward, Clarksville Academy- Davie averaged 12.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, and two assists en route to being an all-district selection, and helping Clarksville Academy earn a regular-season district title.
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Montavious Clardy, Guard, Kirkwood-Clardy, the primary ball handler for the Cobras, did a little bit of everything, averaging 7 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals, and was an all-district selection in his junior season. Clardy even recorded a triple-double against Dickson County in the regional quarterfinals.
Thomas King, Guard, Clarksville High- King averaged double digits for the Wildcats, scoring 10.2 points and dishing out 3.5 assists, and earned all-district tournament selections.
Aaron Hines, Forward, Kirkwood- Hines was an absolute physical force down low, not getting a lot of shine, but being a key part of the Cobras district champion and region championship runs. Hines averaged nine points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals, along with being named All-District.
Top awards
Player of the Year: Armani Smith, Kirkwood- A close race with many athletes deserving this award, but Smith gets the nod. Whenever you needed a clutch bucket in a big-time moment, Smith delivered, and there was rarely a night when he was held under 20 points. Smith averaged 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals a contest.
Coach of the Year: Johnny Jackson, Rossview- After coming off a state semifinal run in 2024, the Hawks won only nine games in 2025. Things looked grim for one of Clarksville’s usual top programs. However, the Hawks had the best turnaround of any program in Clarksville and continually improved throughout the season, coming within three points of a region championship and one game of a state tournament berth. For that turnaround, Jackson earns Clarksville Now’s Coach of the Year.
Defensive Player of the Year- Aaron Hines, Kirkwood- Hines guarded each opponent’s best player every night. Whether they were a 5’9 guard or a 6’10 forward, Hines guarded them, no matter what. Hines took on any assignment and never complained, never wavered, and usually shut down the top option of whatever opponent they faced. Hines ability to guard 1-5 earns him Clarksville Now’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Freshman of the Year- Aree Hines, Kirkwood- Hines, just one year removed from taking Richview to a state championship, the younger Hines was a starter for the top program in Clarksville this season. He averaged eight points, three rebounds, and two assists a contest, earning an All-Tournament selection.
Team of the Year – Kirkwood Cobras – The Cobras, in only their third year of existence, earned their second district and regional titles and were an overtime win away from a state tournament berth. The wildest thing about this edition of the Cobras – they have no seniors – and will run back the exact same squad next season, looking for a birth to the Glass house in Murfreesboro.
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