CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Region 5-AAA boys basketball tournament kicked off Saturday, as No. 2-seeded Rossview welcomed in No. 3-seeded Station Camp.
The Bison were able to dictate the pace of play throughout, grinding their way to a 36-29 victory over the Hawks.
Station Camp’s slow-moving methodical offense and relentless half-court pressure on defense ultimately reflected the low numbers on the scoreboard.
According to Rossview boys basketball coach Johnny Jackson, the Bison made it extremely difficult for his group to find a rhythm on either end of the floor.
“I really wasn’t expecting them to milk out minutes and minutes with their tempo on the offensive end,” Jackson said. “Defensively, they were super physical. I knew they had great size, but man they made every shot tough for us. I bet we shot 15 percent from the floor. They did a heck of a job.”
With two players in their normal rotation missing due to personal reasons, Rossview’s depth took a major hit.
The notable absences were even more glaring when Hawk senior Tim Williams Jr. was forced to check out of the game in the second quarter after hyperextending his knee. The 2020-21 All-District 10-AAA guard tried to gut it out by returning, but was noticeably not his usual self in the second half.
“He was hurting bad,” Jackson said. “It just shows you his character going back out there and fighting with his teammates. He just wasn’t the same. He didn’t have that step that he usually has and no elevation whatsoever. It was just all heart for him to go out there and compete.”
After falling behind 7-2 to start the contest, the Hawks closed out the opening quarter on a 7-2 run of their own to tie the game at 9-all.
End of the 1st QTR@Rossview_ballin 9@TheCampBball 9
Ty Butler with a little razzle dazzle for the Hawks. pic.twitter.com/YKyxawxDlq
— Neil Rye (@NryeTBB) February 28, 2021
Back-to-back three-pointers late in the second quarter allowed the Bison to go back out in front, holding onto an 18-13 lead at the break.
End of the 3rd QTR@TheCampBball 21@Rossview_ballin 18
Ronald Jessamy with the emphatic swat for the Hawks to close the third quarter. pic.twitter.com/sUjQsi04FW
— Neil Rye (@NryeTBB) February 28, 2021
When Rossview cut the deficit to three points heading into the fourth quarter, Station Camp later went on a 6-0 run to build a rather insurmountable lead with less than five minutes remaining.
The Hawks fought to the very end, but were unable to complete the improbable comeback down the stretch in order to keep their season alive.
“My guys battled their butts off,” Jackson said. “The bottom line was we couldn’t get a shot to fall when we needed to.”
Ronald Jessamy finished with a team-high eight points while Ty Butler added six points. Seniors Spencer Mimms, Eli Colvin and Bryant Rippy each scored five points for the Hawks.
Kheller Die` led all scorers with 15 points followed by Eli Rice with 14 points for the Bison.
2nd QTR- 6:29
Smooth stroke from @TheCampBball’s Eli Rice. pic.twitter.com/8PnunmAOe1— Neil Rye (@NryeTBB) February 28, 2021
Station Camp moves on and will face Beech Tuesday, March 2, at 7 p.m. on the road in the Region 5-AAA semifinals.
‘This year, they led’
After the game, Jackson reflected back on the Class of 2021 and what they’ve meant to him as well as the program.
“These guys were here as freshmen and got to play with some really good players and win a bunch of games,” Jackson said. “Then last year, they had to be thrust into the lineup and they weren’t quite ready for it.
“They weren’t experienced, but they took their lumps last year and this year, they led. They led in the weight room and they led in the classroom. Three of the five are 4.0 students and just high-character guys. Hopefully they left some stuff for the younger guys to build on.”