Rossview Lady Hawks Defeat Lebanon 56-39, Advance to Region 5-AAA Semifinals

Friday, February 21, 2014

Clarksville, TN – It is no secret the Rossview Lady Hawks potent offense goes through the post and the Lebanon Lady Blue Devils executed a solid plan to slow down the Lady Hawks post game. However, the Lady Hawks proved their defense is equally as potent and took advantage of Devilette turnovers to win their Region 5-AAA quarterfinal matchup against Lebanon Friday night at Rossview High School, 56-39.

“It was a physical game. I thought we got knocked around a little bit. This time of year, it’s kind of what you expect,“ Lady Hawks head coach Justin Woods said. “We have hung our hat on our defense all year. I didn’t think tonight was our best defensive effort, but we got enough stops, turned those stops into transition baskets, to pull it out tonight.”

Rossview girl's basketball defeats Lebanon for Region win 56-39. (Michael Rios Clarksville Sports Network) — Rossview girl’s basketball defeats Lebanon for Region win 56-39. (Michael Rios Clarksville Sports Network)

At first, it looked as if the Lady Hawks offense was going to handle business as usual. They flawlessly executed a play from the tip-off that set up Ashley Powers to make a wide open 3-pointer. From their they continued to soar on a 7-0 run.

However, the Lady Blue Devils settled into a 2-3 zone that doubled down on the post at any hint of receiving the ball. The defense slowed the Lady Hawks offense to a crawl and kept the Lady Blue Devils in striking distance for three periods.

They were down by only six points, 32-26 going into the fourth period. But the fourth period was when the Lady Hawks countered with a full court press that produced five Lady Blue Devils turnovers. The Lady Hawks seniors took care of the rest.

Ashley Powers and Janie white combined for 16 of the Lady Hawks 24 fourth period points. The Lady Hawks also shot 9-of-10 from the free throw line in the fourth period.

“I thought our seniors played outstanding tonight,” coach Woods said. “Ashley took care of the ball, made play after play in the fourth quarter. Janie is Janie. She did what she does. She was all over the place it seemed like. I thought our seniors carried us tonight.”

White finished the game with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks. Powers scored 15 including two, 3-pointers.

Powers made her last shot from downtown with 4:22 left in the game to put the Lady Hawks ahead 41-32. From that point the Lady Hawks outscored the Lady Blue Devils 15-7.

Seven different Lady Blue Devils scored in the game. Madison Sloan led her team with 15 points. Janeeka Dowell added 11. The Lady Blue Devils shot 4-of-11 from the field and 5-of-8 from the free throw line in the last period.

After the game Woods told his team, “Its all about surviving and advancing. It doesn’t have to be pretty. Its all about getting the win.”

Next, the Lady Hawks will play against Beech at home in the Region 5-AAA semifinals Monday, February 24th.