CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Following a loss in a tight game on Wednesday night, Rossview High School boys basketball secured a victory over city opponent West Creek on Thursday. The win happened to be the Hawks’ second win against the Coyotes this season.

WCHS pushed RHS to their limit for more than half of the game, but Rossview was able to pull away in the end.

First half

The game started out with each team pushing the tempo, and it was close throughout the first quarter. The big difference in overall scoring was Rossview being able to take advantage of West Creek miscues. The Hawks totaled 7 points off turnovers. However, a pair of threes from the Coyotes doubled their score in the quarter. Going into second quarter, RHS led 16-12.

Rossview maintained distance from their opponent through most of the second half. Jamarcus Caldwell scored 5 points in under a minute to push the team’s lead to 10 points. With four minutes remaining before halftime, West Creek kept their composure and chipped away at the deficit. It started out with making plays at each end of the floor. The Coyotes’ inability to make free throws really hurt as time progressed, but they kept taking it to the Hawks. After a set of free throws and two 2-point baskets, RHS had their lead cut down to 4. Rossview hit a single free throw before the half and would end up leading 30-25 as time expired.

Second half

Early in the second half, West Creek Head Coach Russell Malone picked up a technical foul. He believed the referees missed a call while the team was on offense. This led to a set of free throw attempts, with the Hawks making only one of the pair. A minute had not even passed before the Coyotes were given their second technical of the game.

From that point on, it seemed as though Rossview controlled the rhythm of the game on offense and defense. The Hawks expanded on their lead and were up by 22 at one point in the third quarter. The team outscored WCHS 24-10 in the third, giving them a 54-35 lead.

As the game moved into the 4th, one of the Coyotes’ senior leaders in Sean Lafortune let his emotions get the best of him as he picked up the team’s third technical foul. This one disqualified West Creek’s leading scorer from the game as well, which seemed to deflate the team. Rossview continued to build off their score until taking their starters off the floor. At the end of regulation, the score was 74-59 in the Hawks’ favor.

Post game

RHS looked as though they were a completely different team when they came out of the locker room to start the second half.

Rossview head coach Johnny Jackson said that during the break, he told the team they shouldn’t have settled for so many three-point attempts. He said they needed to throw the ball inside, and take advantage of the points in the paint. I would say it worked to their advantage, but something else did as well.

Making rebounds was also a key to Rossview’s success. When Rossview and West Creek met earlier in January, the Hawks dominated the offensive boards, collecting a total of 19. But in the first half on Thursday, the Coyotes only allowed a total of four offensive rebounds. The second half was a completely different story. RHS grabbed 11 rebounds on the offensive side. The team’s authority on the boards was a key component in the outcome of the game.

Rossview scoring leaders: Landon Hankemeier – 12 points; Seneca Bradley – 10 points; Jacob Edwards – 8 points; Jamarcus Russell – 7 points; Cam Ward – 7 points; Julian Hatfield – 6 points; Ty Butler- 6 points

West Creek scoring leaders: Sean Lafortune – 15 points; Kayden Pace – 12 points; Branden Dugger – 6 points; Jason Timothy – 6 points; Tahjir Maddox – 6

Girls game

Rossview girls basketball came in eager to end their regular season with a win against West Creek. The girls team did so by being aggressive early on in defense. The Hawks scored more than half of their points off of turnovers, while only allowing two points in the first eight minutes of the game.

Rossview’s ability to apply pressure on the ball with their physical nature overpowered West Creek going into the second quarter. As soon as the Coyotes would push the ball past half court and try to set up their half court offense, they would be overwhelmed by the Hawks, who swarmed to the ball. Going into halftime, the game had already gotten out of hand with a score of 40-7.

Second half

West Creek High School made adjustments coming out of the locker room and it showcased early on. They maintained control of the ball, found their stride on offense and played effective defense against Rossview. They would match the Hawks amount of total points in the third quarter, and pushed the overall score to 52-19.

Rossview took their starters out of the game in the fourth quarter with a lead of 33 points. Week Creek would go on to outscore the visitors 11-8 within the last eight minutes of the game. The Hawks would take the victory with a final score of 60-30.

After the game, Rossview head coach Justin Woods said it’s important for the team to go into the post-season playing their best basketball. He said everyone knows their role on the team, and that has played into their current winning streak.

Rossview scoring leaders: Sydney Deroches – 14 points; Aubrey Padgett – 13 points; Emani Collier – 9 points; Torri James-7 points; Jana Darnell – 6 points

West Creek scoring leaders: Regan Fisher – 11 points; Ariy Denson – 8 points; Sarena Bassham – 4 points; Amarachi Chukuwemeka – 3 points