CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The No. 2-seeded Northwest Vikings traveled to West Creek High School for the District 14-4A tournament semifinals against the No. 3-seeded Coyotes on Friday. It took two overtimes and miracle three-pointers at the buzzer, but somehow, someway, the Northwest Vikings are on to the District championship game with a 61-58 win over the Coyotes
Most of the drama happened in the fourth quarter, which the Vikings entered up four, but the Coyotes stormed back, led by seven points in the period by guard Kameron Bowers. The Coyotes led by three with six seconds remaining in regulation, but Dominic Woski hit a three at the horn to tie the game, and this rivalry game was headed to overtime. That was the only score recorded by Woski all night.
“We knew it was going to be a dogfight; they’re a great program,” said Vikings head coach DeeDee Smith. “It represents our culture as gritty guys, and shows you how we battle through adversity. We knew the rivalry comes with emotion, and sometimes that gets the best of guys, but we were able to control that when it mattered tonight.”
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In overtime, it became a battle of senior guards, West Creek’s Bowers, and Northwest’s Jacquez Scott. Bowers scored 10 in the two overtime periods, while Scott scored nine to nearly match him. The two went blow for blow in the first overtime, so much so that they ended the first OT tied 53-53. In the second, Viking guard Tobias Santiago had some huge buckets and then stopped on the defensive end, and Northwest made their free throws to close out an instant classic.
What’s next for Coyotes, Vikings
The Coyotes will play in the third-place game on Tuesday against Dickson County and have a shot to keep their season going in regional play.
Despite the loss, West Creek head coach Matthew Hardaway is ready to bounce back. “We still have something to play for, that’s what we can take from this,” said Hardaway. “We didn’t execute offensively when it mattered. Now it’s time to regroup, get ready for practice, and try to make a run in the region.”
The Vikings are now on to the District 14-4A title game on Tuesday against the Patriots of Henry County. The two teams split the regular season series, and the Vikings are looking for a little revenge and to keep this momentum rolling.
“This was a great game to test us,” said Smith. “We sustained the storm, and we stayed balanced in those wild moments. We’re a defensive team, and that’s what got us going tonight. We’ve been finding a way all year, and tonight was a great example of that. If we can pull together and win a game like this, why can’t we win a championship?”
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