CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The West Creek High Coyotes hosted the Northwest Vikings in the District 13-4A play-in game, which was a win or go home matchup. A competitive rivalry game saw both teams trade the lead down the stretch, before Northwest narrowly pulled ahead for a 66-64 lead. West Creek was unable to respond in the final seconds of the game, ending the Coyotes season and extending the Vikings.
Both teams came out energized, knowing their seasons were on the line. Northwest junior guard Jaquez Scott particularly came out firing and led all scorers with 28 points on the night. Vikings head coach Thomas Stanley said that his team emphasized energy and effort all week long at practice.
“We executed and gave 100% effort,” said Stanley. “We told them not to focus on winning, but to just give effort, and winning would come with that. Jaquez rose to the occasion, it’s by no means a one-person effort, but he was the best player on the floor.”
The two teams kept the game close throughout the rest of the time played, with the lead never being more than six points for the entire second half. Coyotes junior guard Kameron Bowers stepped up, leading West Creek with 22 points. However, the Vikings broke the tie with 17 seconds left to give them a two-point lead, and West Creek couldn’t respond, ending the Coyotes season.
“We just have to have more urgency and intensity,” said West Creek head coach Matthew Hardaway. “As as a coaching staff, we have to do better, and we take accountability for this one. I’ll remember the discipline on and off the floor from this team, and I’m glad I got to coach them.”
As for the Vikings, they’ll face Dickson County on Tuesday for the right to play for a district championship. Despite an 0-8 record in district play in the regular season, with this win, the Vikings are right back in the thick of the postseason.
“For about a month, we’ve been injured, and it’s been a long journey,” Stanley told Clarksville Now. “We lost ten games in a row, but we won our last three, we got healthy, and I’m so happy for the kids. They stuck with it, and they earned this. They have a lot more than they’re capable of.”
Elsewhere in Clarksville:
- Rossview High boys’ basketball ends Northeast’s season, 91-47.
- Kenwood’s High girls’ basketball ends West Creek’s season, 52-34.
- Northeast High girls’ basketball has season ended against Springfield.
- Montgomery Central fell to Sycamore in the 3A District 11 Semifinals. They will now play in the third-place game.
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