CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Rossview High girls basketball collided with inner-city opponent Northwest High on March 2 in the region 7-4A championship held at Kenwood High. The Hawks fought until the very end to fend off the Vikings to declare themselves champions of the bracket.

Each team started the game with stagnant offenses. Northwest struggled with their ball security, while shots just weren’t falling for Rossview. The Vikings offensive production began to pick up thanks to their play in transition.

In a six minute duration, Northwest grabbed an 11-4 lead. The momentum would shift entirely in Rossview’s favor after an old fashioned three point play by Emani Collier. The quarter would end with the Hawks going on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 11.

The game of scoring streaks continued in the second quarter. The score remained close after four minutes of play until Rossview capped of a 9-0 run. The Vikings were able to cut the Hawks lead by 4, but just before time expired in the quarter, Jana Darnell was able to hit a last second three point shot to give Rossview a 31-21 lead going into the half.

Second Half

The second quarter did not sit well with Northwest, because the team came out of halftime firing on all cylinders. For retrospect, the Vikings had 11 turnovers in the first half. In the third quarter they only had 1 turnover. Their ability to control the ball led the team on a 11-3 run through six minutes of action.

As the game progressed into the fourth quarter, Rossview was only leading by a two point margin.

Offensive production would heat up in the final quarter. Within the first two minutes, the teams combined for 13 total points. Just as it seemed the game could go down to the very last possession, the Hawks would hit a dagger three with less than two minutes of the championship remaining.

This would give the team their biggest lead in the quarter, and the Vikings seemingly could not come back from this point deficit. Rossview would go on to win the region championship 55-46 over Northwest.

After the fact

After the game, head coach Justin Woods touched on the teams poise down the stretch saying, “the seniors really stepped up, just as they have all season long. The team picked up their play when they needed too, and this moment is something they really wanted. While it is no surprise to me, I could not be more proud of my kids.”

Coach Woods and the Rossview High girls basketball team continue their postseason journey as they host Bartlett this coming weekend. Northwest will travel to Arlington as they look to bounce back following Wednesday’s close loss.

Rossview scoring leaders: Laci Edwards – 16 points; Sydney Desroches – 14 points; Evi Darnell – 11 points; Torri James – 7 points; Emani Collier – 5 points; Jana Darnell – 3 points; Aubrey Padgett – 1 point

Northwest scoring leaders: Emiyah Cobb – 16 points; Ta’Mia Scott – 11 points; Jada Brooks – 8 points; Kendall Myree- 6 points; Grace Fuaau – 4 points; Kayla Howell –  1 point

Girls Region All-Tournament Selections: Rossview – Sydney Desroches, Evie Darnell and Laci Edwards; Northwest – Ta’Mia Scott and Emiyah Cobb; Clarksville High – Imari Berry; Henry County – Averie O’Daniel

Region Tournament MVP: Sydney Desroches