CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Kirkwood Lady Cobras hosted the Rossview Hawks for a district battle between the two rivals of Exit 8. Rossview got out to a fast start and maintained a lead throughout to earn a rivalry win and sweep the season series, 52-17.
The Hawks came out of the gates strong, using physical defense and strong paint presence to build a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Rossview guard Jai Jordan was able to continually penetrate the Cobra’s defense, leading all scorers with 11.
“We wanted to have intensity and focus throughout the contest, especially early,” said Hawks head coach Clay Head. “When you play defense like that, you’re gonna create for your offense.”
Kirkwood head coach Micah Rochester said his squad didn’t come out with the energy he anticipated early, and it hurt them.
“Ever since we’ve come back from Christmas, we’ve competed and played hard, but for some reason the effort and energy just wasn’t there tonight,” said Rochester. “I know basketball is a long season, but we only have a week and a half left; we have to go back to work tomorrow.”
MORE: Kirkwood High boys outlast Rossview in Battle of Exit 8 | PHOTOS
As for the Hawks, it’s a big win to keep pace with Clarksville High in the district standings, whom they have a rematch with on Friday.
“We’ve had squads in the past that have peaked in January, we don’t feel like we’ve peaked yet,” said Head. “We challenged them to be physical. If we can continue to play good defense, be physical on both ends of the floor, and keep building, we can peak in February, which is what you want.”
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