Rossview vs. CHS girls semifinal raise stakes ahead of big Saturday

George Robinson
Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle
Montgomery Central and Clarksville High battle for the ball during their game on February 15, 2018.

It felt as though the matchup was inevitable.

Rossview did its part with a 59-22 victory over Northeast in the first game of the District 10-AAA tournament quarterfinals at Rossview High.

Clarksville High followed with a 58-41 victory over Montgomery Central, setting the stage for Saturday's district semifinal showdown between two heated rivals.

"This is Rossview-Clarksville," Lady Hawks coach Justin Woods said. "This is what it's all about. I don't have to say much to my girls. I know Brian (Rush) doesn't have to say much to his kids. It's going to be a good one."

The Lady Hawks (24-5) and Lady Wildcats (20-7) 5 p.m. game will be the third of four games Saturday at Northeast High with two girl-boy doubleheaders to determine who advances to next week's district championship.

The last time the two teams met in the district semis, and not in the district championship, was 2015-16 when Rossview captured a 53-50 victory.

More:Justin Woods unlocks Rossview's potential

Kristin Edwards, 2, shoots while Amaya Moore, 20, tries to block during Rossview and Northeast's game on February 15, 2018.

But if one thinks that playing in Saturday's semifinal game, instead of for the district title, will be an emotional letdown, think again.

"Oh no," Rush said. "We could be the Nos. 8 and 9 seed and it would still be an all-out battle. There just isn't any scenario where, if these two teams are playing each other, there isn't an emotional investment. When (Rossview) sees purple, they're really seeing red. When we see Rossview, we're seeing red too."

Katie Ray, 21, and Nariah Nicholson, 20, battle for the ball during Montgomery Central and Clarksville High's game on February 15, 2018.

The two teams split the regular season with both games finishing with identical 57-53 scores. Rossview won Dec. 5 while Clarksville High won Jan. 23.

And both teams tied with Henry County atop the regular season district standing (with 14-2 records) that required a coin flip Monday to determine the Nos. 1, 2 and 3 seeds.

Regardless of Saturday's outcome, both have advanced to the Region 5 tournament. Yet Rossview has a few old scores to settle. It lost to CHS in last year's region title game and if, by chance, the Lady Hawks get another shot at Henry County it would love to avenge last year's district championship loss.

More:CHS, Rossview, Henry County in a 3-team race

Deja Walls, 5, tries to get around Montgomery Central players during Montgomery Central and Clarksville High's game on February 15, 2018.

"Our kids know what this process is like," Woods said. "I can tell we're focused. Even after our game (Thursday), I could tell they're like 'Yeah, we know what's coming'."

Henry County knocked off Northwest Thursday and Kenwood beat Springfield. That means Henry County faces Kenwood in Saturday's other district semifinal.

Saturday's anticipated atmosphere is what Rush loves about high school basketball.

Madison Ballance, 4, looks for a teammate to pass to during Rossview and Northeast's game on February 15, 2018.

"Other than the state tournament, it's the most fun to sit and watch," he said. "You have eight teams, one gym, all these different fans and games all day. It's so much fun."

Reach Prep writer George Robinson at georgerobinson@theleafchronicle.com or (931) 245-0747 and on Twitter @Cville_Sports.

 

DISTRICT 10-AAA TOURNAMENT SCHEDULES

GIRLS

Tuesday

Northwest 65, West Creek 48

Thursday (at Henry County)

Henry County 73, Northwest 32

Kenwood 47, Springfield 40

Thursday (at Rossview)

Rossview 59, Northeast 22

Clarksville High 58, Montgomery Central 41

Saturday (at Northeast)

Henry County vs. Kenwood: 2 p.m.

Rossview vs. Clarksville High: 5 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 19, (at Northeast)

Consolation: 6 p.m.

Championship: 7:30 p.m.

 

BOYS

Tuesday

Northwest at Springfield, 6 p.m.

Friday (at Northeast)

Northeast vs. Northwest-Springfield winner, 6 p.m.

Kenwood vs. Montgomery Central, 7:30 p.m.

Friday (at Rossview)

Rossview vs. Henry County, 6 p.m.

Clarksville High vs. West Creek, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday (at Northeast)

District semifinal: 3:30 p.m.

District semifinal: 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 20, (at Northeast)

Consolation: 6 p.m.

Championship: 7:30 p.m.