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Wildcats beat Henry County in ‘grudge match’ to advance




Ashton O’Daniel (3) guards Clarksville’s Jaheim McDonald.PHIL STAUDER

Ashton O’Daniel (3) guards Clarksville’s Jaheim McDonald.PHIL STAUDER

The Clarksville Wildcats stumbled to the finish line, losing three of their final five regular season games – including two district losses. Regardless, they managed to snag the No. 2 seed in the District 10-AAA tournament.

The seeding earned them a date with No. 3 Henry County, one of the teams to defeat them in recent weeks.

“Henry County really manhandled us there,” said Clarksville coach Ted Young. “You’ve got the road trip there on the bus, thought we were prepared for them. We actually beat them as well as they beat us, as handily the first time we played them, so it was the grudge match.”

With a trip to the district championship on the line, the Wildcats came out on top with a 57-44 victory.

Both teams got off to a slow start with a 7-7 tie after the first quarter, though Clarksville gained a small upper-hand in momentum when Jaheim Berry nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game.

JJ Wheat goes for a layup.PHIL STAUDER

JJ Wheat goes for a layup.PHIL STAUDER

The Wildcats took off from there, scoring at least 16 points in every quarter after that via an amended game plan. Instead of using their guard-heavy lineup to dribble past the Henry County defenders, they opted to instead pass the ball more often to try and stretch the defense and swing the ball around faster.

Nick Keener became the main beneficiary, scoring 17 for the Wildcats, making three triples and going 6-for-6 at the line. JJ Wheat added 14 points.

Their defensive scheme required tweaks after the Patriots jumped out to a 7-0 lead, too.

“Instead of allowing them to throw into the post from the middle of the floor, we made sure our guards took their ball handlers to the edges of the floor, on the sideline, so that way your help side defense can be there,” Young said. “You really stretch your help defense if you allow them to throw it in from the top of the key, and that was the whole strategy.”

John Odoms (left) puts the pressure on Clarksville’s JJ Wheat.PHIL STAUDER

John Odoms (left) puts the pressure on Clarksville’s JJ Wheat.PHIL STAUDER

With the win, Clarksville advanced to face the No. 1 seeded Northeast Eagles in Tuesday’s championship game. They split their regular season games, but the Eagles won by 21 points at home on Feb. 11.

BOX SCORE

Clarksville (57): Nick Keener 17, JJ Wheat 14, Jaheim McDonald 9, Jamarco Mimms 9, Jaheim Berry 3, Hunter Busbee 3, Wesley Booth 2.

Henry County (44): John Odoms 20, Jawon Odoms 9, Deon Young 6, Will Singleton 4, Ashton O’Daniel 2, Andrew Wimberly 2, Donte Davis 1.

Wesley Booth goes to the hoop.PHIL STAUDER

Wesley Booth goes to the hoop.PHIL STAUDER

Nick Keener looks for a Clarksville teammate.PHIL STAUDER

Nick Keener looks for a Clarksville teammate.PHIL STAUDER

Clarksville coach Ted Young beckons to his team.

Clarksville coach Ted Young beckons to his team.

 

 

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