CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The West Creek Coyotes traveled to Rossview High School on Saturday for the region 7-4A quarterfinals against the Hawks. Rossview pulled out a 56-51 win late in the game, earning them a region semifinal berth and ending the Coyotes’ season.
The Hawks and Coyotes were tied through 10 minutes of play to begin the game, but Rossview started to find some separation by crashing the offensive glass for second-chance opportunities. The forward duo of Israel Dillard and Maskim Idzi each finished the game with double doubles.
In the second half, senior guard Kameron Bowers wasn’t so eager to let his career as a Coyote end, scoring 10 of his 14 points in the second half to lead the Coyotes in scoring. The problem was that Hawks senior guard Jiyair Rose outmatched him, scoring 19 points, including 11 in the second half, to find a way to continue his senior season.
“It was a gritty game; no one wanted their season to end,” said Hawks head coach Johnny Jackson. “Our guys were resilient and gave great effort. We struggled with turnovers early, got nervous, but rebounded in the second half. Jiyair did a great job of getting to his spot.”
The Coyotes’ season will now come to a close, and they’ll be left wondering just how close they were, as they lost their district semifinal on a last-second field goal to Northwest, making them travel in an elimination contest.
As for the Hawks, they’re on to the semifinals against Northwest on Tuesday night in another elimination contest.
“It was a complete team effort,” Jackson told Clarksville Now. “It means a lot to these seniors to keep the season going. It’s our 23rd win, and this group has responded after a down year last year. Now, it’s survive and advance.”
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