Clarksville Academy's Sydneey Boykin repeats as All Area girls basketball player of year

Clarksville Academy's Sydneey Boykin spent the first three weeks of the high school basketball season trying to recover from a hip injury.

Her absence put the Lady Cougars in a difficult position, but the Academy's chemistry never wavered despite the loss of its star player.

When Boykin returned, she picked up where she left off last year by helping the Lady Cougars break the school record for most wins in a season. Clarksville Academy finished 20-13, took third place in the Division II-A District 2 tournament and was one win away from advancing to the program's first state tournament.

And for the second straight year, the sophomore guard has been named The Leaf-Chronicle All Area girls basketball player of the year.

"It was kind of crazy because it was hard not being out on the court with my team," Boykin said of her time recovering from her injury. "I got to see the game in a whole new way and maybe a different way I could affect the game."

Boykin matured in the process, growing more as a vocal leader.

"It was scary because I didn't want my teammates to look at me and think that I can't say anything to them because I'm not our there playing," Boykin said. "It was actually the opposite. They all were very cool about it when I tried to help."

When Boykin returned, she finished the season with an 11.7-point scoring average with 3.4 steals and 4.2 assists. And she was named to her second straight Tennessee Sports Writers' Association all-state team.

"I really had to rely on my parents, coaches and teammates this year, probably more than ever," Boykin said. "They all kept me engaged during the season and encouraged me while I was out."

Clarksville Academy successfully navigated a new division, district and region in basketball this season. A win against Franklin Road Academy in the Middle Region tournament could have secured a state tournament berth, but the Lady Cougars fell short of that goal.

"I'm excited to get back at it," Boykin said. "It's been a great first two years of high school basketball for me and this offseason we're going to work to make next season another great year, if not better."

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