CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Centurions of Clarksville Christian School visited Montgomery Central High on Friday for some action on the hardwood. To start the night, the visiting girls cruised to a win, 56-27, but the Indians returned the favor in the boys game, claiming a 66-40 victory.

Boys game

Wyatt Stivers shooting a 3 as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
TJ Jeffries shooting a 3 as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
TJ Jeffries driving in transition as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Ryan Bowles shooting as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Michael Lawton shooting a 3 as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Michael Lawton driving as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Michael Lawton attempting buzzer beater as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
MCHS boys coach Mike Brown talks to players as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
MCHS players and fans sing the alma mater Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Marquice Crutcher enters as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Josiah Rankhorn shoots as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Josiah Rankhorn shooting as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Joseph Kiffle free throw as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Hayden Boyd shooting as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Hayden Boyd fouled while shooting as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Gavin Rodenhaber shooting as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Eric Owen shooting as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Eric Owen shooting as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Eric Owen driving as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
DT Faulk shooting as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
DT Faulk shooting as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
DT Faulk driving as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Drew Yarbrough as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Drew Yarbrough as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Cyler Middleton shooting as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Cyler Middleton, left, and Savion Lyle, right, as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Cyler Middleton driving the ball as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
CCS coach Robbie Santiago talks to players as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Caleb Lawton shooting as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Caleb Lawton shoots a free throw as Montgomery Central played Clarksville Christian School in boys basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)

The tone was set early on as the tight man coverage of the Indians gave the Centurions fits. Central’s defense created steals and blocks on one end that led to easy buckets on the other. Junior Eric Owen in particular looked strong in both phases of the game, notching seven of the team’s 17 points in the first quarter. The Centurions were held to 10 points in the period, unable to convert on four of their five free throw attempts.

Montgomery Central continued building a lead in the second quarter by driving into the teeth of the defense for close-range shots and several trips to the free throw line. Fouls were aplenty on both sides, but Clarksville Christian continued struggling at the line, making three of 10 attempts. At the half, the hosts led, 32-22.

The second half saw the lead ballooning, with the Indians outscoring the Centurions by eight in each of the last two quarters. Big man Josiah Rankhorn and playmaker DT Faulk combined for 11 of the hosts’ 18 points in the third quarter while the defense held the visitors to only four made field goals.

Montgomery Central was led in scoring by Owen’s 18, followed closely by 17 from Faulk. Rankhorn chipped in 10, while five other players found themselves in the box score as well.

Asked about the key to his team’s performance, Montgomery Central coach Mike Brown said, “They’re a bunch of young guys. When they start to believe in themselves, they’re going to be better. Last year, they were a bunch of freshmen playing against Clarksville High, those types of things.

“They’re starting to believe and play together, I think they’re doing that more. They’re not as scared as they used to be and they’ve got more confidence,” Brown concluded.

Thinking about how the game started, Brown added, “I was happy with the defensive effort. When you play the man to man defense, you got to know that you can trust your brother and he’ll be there. The more that they believe in their teammates, the better they’ll be defensively, and I was proud of that.”

One refrain echoed from the student section throughout the game. “Eric! Eric! Eric!” could be heard almost twice a quarter as fans praised Owen for his big plays. “He’s our captain,” Brown explained.

“He’s a true leader at all times. He makes sure they’re in the weight room, that they’re running. When the season ended, all summer and all fall, he held them accountable. If we run, he’s the one who’s going to lead them, and they all respect him.”

Montgomery Central: Eric Owen – 18; DT Faulk – 17; Josiah Rankhorn – 10; Marquice Crutcher – 5; Savion Lyle – 5; Drew Yarbrough – 4; Hayden Boyd – 4; Wyatt Stivers – 3

Clarksville Christian: Michael Lawton – 14; Ryan Bowles – 10; Cyler Middleton – 5; Seth Koenes – 4; Caleb Lawton – 3; Gavin Rodenhaber – 2; Cannon Prather – 1; Joseph Kiffle – 1

Girls game

Zakiya Ligon shooting as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Zakiya Ligon (left) defending Caroline Watts shooting as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Sarah Rankhorn driving as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Molly Morgan shooting as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Mia Muiznieks free throw as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Mia Muiznieks (center) rebounding as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
The MCHS Dance Team performs as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
The MCHS Dance Team performs as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
The MCHS Cheer Team performs as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Lauren Hassell shooting as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Lauren Hassell shooting as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Keli Madden shooting as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Keli Madden shooting as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Jayla Smith shooting as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Jayla Smith left driving the ball as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Caroline Watts shooting as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Caroline Watts shooting as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Caroline Jansen shooting as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Caroline Jansen shooting as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Alyssa Davis shooting as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Alivia South shooting as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Addison Beech as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)
Abby Khampengphet shooting as Montgomery Central plays Clarksville Christian School in girls basketball on Jan. 14, 2022. (Ryan Vinson)

If you haven’t heard, the Clarksville Christian girls are looking good this season. What they lack in age or experience, they make up for in size; the squad features two middle schoolers who check in at 6-foot-3. This program has several years to enjoy the advantages brought by Lauren Hassell and Marley Spiers – and things look promising already.

This physical presence down low was on full display with a smothering zone defense Friday night. Most of Central’s attempts from inside the arc were either blocked or influenced by the Lady Centurions, while the hosts’ shots from distance missed the mark.

The first quarter ended with the visitors up, 14-3, and they never looked back. Like many teams, Central found it hard to defend against such size without fouling. This ended up being a physical game for some and a pair of leading starters for the Lady Indians found themselves in foul trouble early on.

The girls from Clarksville Christian continued piling on the points until they ran away with the win, 56-27, led by Hassell’s 15. Jayla Smith also found herself in double digits with 13.

“I think we’re having a successful season so far,” said Clarksville Christian coach Trenton Hassell. We beat a lot of teams that we supposedly weren’t supposed to beat. But we lost a couple of games to teams we shouldn’t have lost to. Being a young team, we got a lot of inconsistency, a lot of up and down flow.

“But considering that,” he added, “I think we’re on the right path. But in order for us to win the championships we’re trying to win, we need to play better than we’re playing right now.”

When asked about the combination of youth and size, Hassell said, “The size helps, but sometimes … they’re not consistent, they’re still trying to figure it out. But we can make up for a lot of mistakes on the back end because of the size. A lot of teams don’t have that size.”

In the meantime, he added, “We’re just hoping that our seniors and our older girls lead them in the right direction and help them mentally become consistent.”

Clarksville Christian: Lauren Hassell – 15; Jayla Smith – 13; Caroline Watts – 9; Alyssa Davis – 8; Molly Morgan – 5; Marley Spiers – 2; Gabby Shipman – 2; Mia Muiznieks – 2

Montgomery Central: Sarah Rankhorn – 10; Keli Madden – 7; Addison Beech – 5; Abby Khampengphet – 2; Sydney Batson – 2; Isabella Davis – 1