CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Rossview boys basketball hosted Northwest Tuesday, looking to bounce back from a tough loss to Kenwood in their previous contest.
The Hawks were only able to muster 39 total points against the Knights before exploding for 40 points alone in the first half against the Vikings.
After earning a 75-48 district win, Rossview boys basketball coach Johnny Jackson gave his thoughts on his group’s offensive resurgence.
“I think we took great shots tonight,” Jackson said. “We moved the ball real well against their zone and attacked certain areas that we saw maybe a weakness or a hole. We started out quick and everything kind of stayed in a rhythm. We just played better tonight.”
Despite the end result being less than desirable, Northwest boys basketball coach Aaron Wallus was pleased with the fight his team showed until the final buzzer sounded.
“They don’t quit,” Wallus said. “That’s all you can ask especially when you’re struggling. When it comes to the scoreboard we’re struggling, but we’re not struggling right now with the no-quit guys. Now, we just have to get better next practice.”
Key players
Rossview was able to limit Northwest’s leading-scorer Ametri Moss to just one field goal in the first half.
“Ametri is a phenomenal player,” Jackson said. “We had somebody chasing him all over the floor all night long and he never tired one bit. I thought Ty (Butler) did a good job on him and Cam Ward came in and played really well against him.”
Even with the Hawks making it difficult, Moss was still able to lead all scorers with 20 points on the evening.
After the game, Wallus shared what he believes makes the senior such a special talent.
“I would say he’s a humble star,” Wallus said. “He’s a star-level player, but he’s humble. He doesn’t brag on himself or boast about himself. He just goes out and plays hard. These guys are seeing his work ethic and it’s going to pay off for us. It may not pay off immediately, but it’s going to pay off for us down the road.”
Hawk sophomore Messiah Ward was lethal from long distance, showing off his limitless range on a few occasions.
“He shot the ball real well tonight,” Jackson said. “What I was most proud of him tonight is he had nine rebounds. He helped us on the glass and that’s what we’ve kind of been asking guys to do.”
Ward finished with a team-high 17 points followed by Ronald Jessamy with 15 points and 12 rebounds and Eli Colvin with 14 points, five assists and four rebounds.
Northwest junior Damiah Smith knocked down three triples while sophomore Hagen Albright gave the Vikings meaningful minutes with his presence down low.
Wallus spoke on the future of his program and how he views next year’s returning roster.
“These guys have to get more experience,” Wallus said. “We have a lot of guys that haven’t played together that are going to come back. We’re a little bit small, but that’s why we’re running guys out. We’re not cashing in what we’re doing now…We have a freshman Quamond Linsey who will be a big part of that too.”
What’s next
Northwest will welcome in Springfield Friday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Rossview travels to take on Montgomery Central Friday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. for their next contest.
Jackson discussed the importance of finding some semblance of consistency down the stretch to be able to play the best basketball possible in middle and late February.
“That’s what it’s about is peaking at the right time,” Jackson said. “You hear that from everybody, but it’s really the truth. You can’t come out and lay an egg one night and play like heroes the next. You have to play every night. I think with our depth, sometimes we can find the right combination, but some nights we can’t…We still have some games to play and there’s a lot of juggling going on at the top. We’re all about matchups right now and seeing where you end up in that first-round game.”