CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Rossview High girls basketball hosted Bartlett High in a sectional matchup on Saturday, March 5. Each team’s season hung in the balance prior to tipoff. In the end, the Hawks came away with the victory and they advance to the state qualifying round in the Class 4A West bracket.
The two teams took the court for tipoff at 7 p.m., and Barlett wasted no time on offense. After a missed shot, the Panthers secured the offensive board and got the second chance basket to go.
Afterward, Rossview dominated on their home court for the remainder of the quarter. The Hawks would go on an 11-0 run through four minutes of action. Bartlett would find some offensive traction to find their rhythm, but the quarter would end in favor of Rossview 16-7.
Rossview’s active defense played a pivotal role in the outcome of the first. The team forced 8 total turnovers, and that led a number of points on the other end of the floor. The Hawks’ effective defensive play would carry over to the next quarter. They held their opposition scoreless over five minutes of play. This led Rossview to grow on their lead and make it a 26-9 ballgame. After the remaining three minutes passed, the teams made their way into the locker rooms for halftime with RHS leading 30-15. However, the game was far from over.
Second half
Bartlett High girls basketball would put themselves in a position to get back into the game after an 11-3 run to start the second half. The scoring difference made the score 33-26, but Rossview was still in control of the lead with four minutes left in the third. The score would stand still for a little under two minutes. That was until Rossview High found their stride once again. They would go on to outscore the Panthers 8-5 during the final four minutes of the quarter. The two teams headed to their huddles and prepared for the final eight minutes of play.
Bartlett began the fourth quarter similarly to the way they came out of the half. It was all or nothing at this point in the game for the team. The Panthers would go on a 10-3 run to make it a one possession game over a couple minutes of play. After a number of baskets traded back and forth, Bartlett would tie the game with three minutes left. The game intensified, but this was nothing new for the Rossview girls basketball team.
Laci Edwards scored a two point field goal to give the Hawks the advantage once again. The basket was the first of four consecutive points for the senior guard. However, the Panthers would not go down so willingly. As crunch time continued, Bartlett would take a one point lead. This was their first lead in the game since their opening basket. Nevertheless, Rossview fought through the adversity as the team was put on the charity stripe for two free throw attempts.
Final moments
The home team made 1 out of 2, but Torri James came away with an offensive rebound for the Hawks. Rossview called a timeout after the effort play. Senior leader Sydney Desroches proceeded to finish the possession with a reverse layup off the glass to give Rossview the lead. Ironically, Desroches did not stop her clutch play there. She ripped the defensive board down and was fouled in the process for a chance to make it a two possession game. Desroches hit both free throw attempts and Aubrey Padgett followed her footsteps by two more made free throws. With a 59-55 win, Rossview girls basketball advanced as state qualifiers.
Rossview coach Justin Woods said his team’s effective defense led them to the win.
“Defense has been our calling card all year. The girls were all over a talented Bartlett team, holding them to only 15 first half points. We knew the Panthers were going to make a run in the second half, but thankfully we had some room to work with thanks to the point differential coming out of halftime.
“In the end, we were the ones who made the last run, which won us the game.”
Woods credited the fans for their noise and staying in the game throughout all of the momentum shifts. The Hawks look to continue their 2021-22 season as they play in the Class 4A State Qualifiers on Wednesday, March 9.
Scoring leaders
Rossview: Sydney Desroches – 21 points; Torri James – 10 points; Emani Collier – 9 points; Laci Edwards – 9 points; Aubrey Padgett – 5 points; Evie Darnell – 4 points; Jana Darnell – 1 point
Bartlett: Mallory Collier – 22 points; Nevaeh Scott – 8 points; Kennedy Claybrooks – 7 points; Carrington Jones – 6 points; Mya Pratcher – 6 points; Shamari Hamlet – 6 points