CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Mount Juliet Middle School Golden Bears traveled to Richview Middle School to take on the Cowboys for the region 6-3A title game on Saturday. While it was a tied game heading into the fourth quarter, an 11-0 run in the fourth by the Bears ended up being the difference as Mount Juliet claimed a region title with a 57-48 win, ending Richview’s season.

In front of an absolute mad house of a crowd, the game was back and forth from the very beginning. Mount Juliet had an early five-point lead in the first quarter, which Richview quickly erased, but outside of that, neither team could gain control. The contest stayed within a three-point margin all the way into the fourth quarter.

Cowboy guard Cliff Pember was putting on a show throughout the contest, as he scored 17 points through three quarters, including three made three-pointers.

With the two teams tied at 36 headed into the fourth quarter, there seemed to be a lid on the rim for Richview for about three minutes. Unfortunately for them, the Bears then turned around and drained three three-pointers as part of a 11-0 run to begin the last quarter of action.

“That may be one of the best crowds I’ve seen at any game, and middle school gyms are smaller, so the noise was everywhere,” said Cowboys head coach Josh Buchholz. “Unfortunately, this is a make-or-miss game, and that’s fine if we’re both missing, but they didn’t seem to miss.”

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Even when it looked grim, Richview maintained life down the stretch. Forward Alex Hines and Pember combined for three back-to-back three pointers, which quickly got the Cowboys back in the contest with a minute remaining, down four. However, the Cowboys had to play the foul game, and the Bears sank them when they needed to most. Mount Juliet guard Hunth Hamilton finished with 21 points to lead all scorers, and the Bears advanced to the Elite Eight.

While it may not be the state runner-up title that the Cowboys achieved last year, this has been a year of history for Richview. Last year, the team lost four starters to high school, all of whom are currently playing varsity roles as true freshmen. Losing that much and still achieving a 24-3 overall record, including an undefeated district record, is a feat that should not go unpraised.

“To not give up in that situation, it shows the resolve of those young men; that response is definitely going to prepare them for their future,” said Buchholz. “This team taught me a lot, the way I approach the game. We’ve got guys that are starting as freshmen, so a lot of people didn’t expect us to get back to even this point, and I’m very proud of them for that.”

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