Clarksville, TN – Deep, dominant and balanced are just a few adjectives used to describe the Rossview Lady Hawks basketball teams. Now, for the first time in school history, writers can add District 10-AAA Tournament Champions. The Lady Hawks defeated the Kenwood Lady Knights in the District 10-AAA Girls Basketball Tournament Monday night at Rossview High School 63-35.
The win advances the Lady Hawks to the Regionals as the District 10-AAA number one seed. As a result they will play the District 9 fourth seed Friday, February 21st.
“It feels great. This is what you work for,” Rossview Lady Hawk head coach Justin Smith said. “Back in May when I took the job, one of the first things they said in the meeting, this was one of their goals. They wanted to win a district title.”
Both teams had to sit their marquee players down early due to fouls. Both Rossview’s Janie White and Kenwood’s Alonja Thomas picked up two quick fouls early in the first period.
While the Lady Knights offense slowed with Thomas on the bench, the Lady Hawks proved their depth in the post.
Instead of the two towers, they could be called the three pillars of the post. Mickey Head and Jemiah Harrison alternated off the bench and together with White overwhelmed the Lady Knights in the paint.
The three Lady Hawks combined for half of the Hawks total points. Harrison led the team with 12 points. White scored 10 and Head added 8.
“Our depth has been a strength all year, especially at the post position.” coach Smith said. “Obviously, Janie is a great player and she does a lot for us, but we are not a one man show. Whoever steps in is ready to do the job.”
While the post was the foundation of the Lady Hawks offense, the Lady Hawks defense set the tone early, creating turnovers and turning them into easy transition baskets. Nine different Lady Hawks players scored in the game.
The Lady Hawks scored more than 20 points in the first two periods. They outscored the Lady Knights 20-10 in the first period and opened the second with 12-0 run. Harrison scored 8 of the 12 points in the run and all of her total 12 in the second period.
The Lady Knights scored their most points in the second period, 17. Thomas scored 9 in the period including four free throws as part of a Lady Knight 8-2 run two minutes before halftime. Katie Robards made a long two that closed the gap to 13 points, 38-25. However, the Lady Hawks closed the half with an 8-2 run that put them ahead 46-27 at halftime.
The Lady Hawks sealed the win in the third, outscoring the Lady Knights 16-0.
Thomas finished the game with 13 points. Both Analiese Osborne and Robards scored 7.
“I am so proud of the seniors and proud of everybody, the way they played and the way they worked,” coach Smith said. “They did everything I asked them to do. I feel like we just keep getting better every day.”
After the game Smith was named the District 10-AAA Coach of the Year and White was awarded Most Valuable Player.
The Lady Knights will continue to Regionals as the 2-seed in the district. The will play the District 9 third seed.
See listings below for the District 10-AAA All District Team and the All Tournament team.
Photo Gallery
Box Score
Rossview 63, Kenwood 35
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| Rossview Lady Hawks | 20 | 26 | 16 | 1 | 63 |
| Kenwood Lady Knights | 10 | 17 | 0 | 8 | 35 |
Rossview
Ashley Powers 6, Karle Pace 8, Haylee Croom 11, Kiara Fisher 2, Mickey Head 8, Liz Quinio 5, Jemiah Harrison 12, Semajia Ogburn 1, Janie White 10.
Kenwood
Alonja Thomas 13, Katie Robards 7, Analiese Osborne 7, Jasmine Johnson 4, Mikaela Smith 2, Malia Umrani 2.
District 10-AAA All Tournament Team
Clarksville High – Haley Bearden, Ta’Tayana Outlaw
West Creek – Shayla Smith, Tyisha Worthy, Madison Kurtz
Kenwood – Alonja Thomas, Analiese Osborne, Jimesia Rivers
Ross view – Kiara Fisher, Ashley Powers, Karle Pace, Haylee Croom
District 10-AAA All District Team
Springfield – Imani Collier
Northwest – Keya Ross
Northeast – Sepe Moore
Henry Co. – Celie Hudson
Clarksville – Haley Bearden, Ta’Tayana Outlaw
Kenwood – Alonja Thomas, Analiese Osborne
West Creek – Tyisha Worthy, Ariana Prather
Rossview – Jemiah Harrison, Mickey Head, Janie White, Ashley Powers
