CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – After taking a few games on the chin to open up the season, Clarksville boys basketball has rebounded in a big way. The Wildcats have played extremely well as of late and have now started to put a stranglehold on District 10-AAA after cruising to a 79-48 win, Friday at home against Rossview.
Clarksville boys basketball coach Ted Young discussed how he has seen his team grow over recent weeks.
“My wife disagrees with me, but I always believe you should play the toughest competition you can in the mid-state early, and try to find out what your strengths and weaknesses are,” Young said. “Dickson County and Brentwood allowed us to do that. We noticed the flow of our offense wasn’t to the point where we needed it to be. We’ve really put an emphasis in practice on moving the ball side to side and inside out as much as we can. The key for us is to limit the opponent to just one shot and get the rebound.”
A pair of 7-0 runs allowed CHS to take a 19-14 lead into the second quarter.
“We’re a really nice transition team right now,” Young said. “We’re making great and wise decisions in the open floor. Not a lot of high school players can do that, but I have four or five guys who are capable of making them on a full sprint.”
With one-minute remaining in the first half, Nick Keener pulled up from deep and drained it to give the Wildcats a 20-point advantage.
After missing the past two games with flu-like symptoms, JJ Wheat was back in action for the Wildcats. The combo guard poured in 11 second-half points, as he asserted himself on the offensive end of the floor.
Superb ball movement by the Wildcats throughout led to a bevy of wide-open looks from the perimeter.
“We really do a lot of drills making accurate passes at full speed,” Young said. “It’s a skill that has to be learned. They believe in it now. Sometimes some of our younger players don’t run the drill right and end up making turnovers in the junior-varsity games. These guys take it seriously every moment of our practices which are really intense. Like every coach will tell you, your play in the games will carry over from how you practice and we’re seeing that right now.”
Five players finished in double figures on the night for CHS. Young shared how having numerous players on the team who can make a dent in the scoring column dictates how other teams have to matchup against them.
“It really puts a strain on the opponent’s defense when choosing who to guard right now,” Young said. “I think we had five players hit threes tonight. The thing was, we were shooting those shots off of the pass. They weren’t one dribble and then try to shoot a three. I think some of the guys take as much pride is making a nice assist, as they do in making a score. That unselfish play will hopefully carry us through the year.”
Clarksville (4-2, 3-0) travels to take on Springfield, Tuesday Dec. 10.
Rossview (0-6, 0-2) will head to Northeast to face off against the Eagles, Tuesday Dec. 10.
Wildcat’s Top Scorers
Jaheim McDonald – 16
JJ Wheat – 16
Jamarco Mimms – 14
Nick Keener – 13
Wesley Booth – 11
Hawks’ Top Scorers
Spencer Mimms – 16
Ronald Jessemy – 8
Tim Williams – 5
Logan Prairie – 5