CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Rossview High point guard Messiah Ward has played his way into Clarksville Now Player of the Week honors after the NXT LVL Hoops Fest tournament.
The Hawks won one out of the three games played. Rossview kicked off the event against talented Little Rock Central, led by four-star recruit Annor Boateng.
From the beginning, Rossview and Little Rock Central had a high-scoring game. In the first half alone, the two teams combined for 73 points. However, the Hawks eventually lost 66-86 with Ward leading the team with 16 points.
Rossview’s next game of the tournament was against Louisville Male High School. This was a close matchup, but the Hawks fell just short. They lost 60-69 with Ward scoring 14 points.
In the final game of the NXT LVL Hoops Fest, Rossview battled it out with Starkville Academy for the rights to 7th place. In the end, Ward and the Hawks dominated the Volunteers in Nashville 89-52. The senior point guard led the team once again with 24 points.
Ward finished the tournament with 54 total points while averaging 18 per game.
2022-23 season
Rossview High’s depth is one reason they have started the season 11-4.
According to Max Preps, the Hawks have more than 8 players averaging more than 5 points per game, which includes Ward, who is ranked third on the team in scoring. He averages right around 9.3 points per contest.
He also averages 2.9 rebounds per game, 2.6 assists per game and is averaging around 1.7 steals per game too.
Coaches corner
“The biggest thing about Messiah right now is his leadership,” said Rossview Head Coach Johnny Jackson. “Being vocal with his teammates, demonstrating his high-level of basketball IQ and he’s not afraid to lead vocally or through his actions. Part of that comes with maturity, because he came into the program not very mature.
“Now, he consistently watches film and listens to what our coaching staff has to say. He’s become an extension of our coaching staff on the floor for this team. Messiah can be a streaky 3-point shooter, but he is slithery and can get it to the rack while creating for others. He’s also a scoring point guard who gets the ball to where it needs to be and can score in big numbers,” said Jackson.
Rossview High boys’ basketball picks back up next week as the Hawks take on Springfield High. The game is scheduled at Springfield on Tuesday, Jan. 10.
Honorable mention
Several other players had great weeks on the basketball court. Here are some that merit special mention:
- Kenwood High guard Keshawn Papillion averaged 17.5 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals last week.