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NASHVILLE WEATHER

Clarksville edges out Clarksville Academy in defensive duel





Malon Smith (30) passes to a teammate early in the first quarter.LOGAN BUCHER

Malon Smith (30) passes to a teammate early in the first quarter.LOGAN BUCHER

The Clarksville Lady Wildcats hosted the Clarksville Academy Lady Cougars on Wednesday night in a battle of city powerhouses with a mutual goal: get better.

They happened to put on a show in the process, with the Lady ‘Cats (4-0) eventually emerging victorious, 48-45.

Unsurprisingly, defense reigned supreme in the tilt between a pair of defensive-minded head coaches, Clarksville’s Brian Rush and Academy’s Charles Clark.

“Notice you had two teams coming into the game with very similar philosophies: we’re going to get after it on the defensive end and the points will take care of itself,” Rush said. “I think that’s why you saw a lower scoring game.”

Fortunately for the Lady Wildcats, they had the best player in the game, and Imari Berry’s game-high 20 points were all necessary in order to squeak out the victory. But there was a moment in the fourth quarter when Clarksville might have thought they’d be without the highlyranked recruit; after hitting a transition layup, she came up limping off the landing and immediately ran off the court to the trainer’s table, checking herself out of the game.

Atyia Moss (10) finishes the tough layup through contact.LOGAN BUCHER

Atyia Moss (10) finishes the tough layup through contact.LOGAN BUCHER

“We just looked at the girls we had and said ‘let’s go,’” Rush said.

The injury ended up being cramping, and Berry managed to check back in with her team down one with 3:40 to go.

Sophomore Malon Smith played a critical role in her absence, and even when Berry was present, the returning guard – who missed the first few games recovering from a leg injury – was huge for CHS.

“Malon is incredibly basketball smart,” Rush said. “Her basketball IQ is just through the roof. She understands the game, sees the game and sees the opportunity when other players don’t always see it. She finds holes, she sees openings and finds gaps in the defense. And she’s confident handing the ball.”

Clarksville Academy’s leading scorer this season, Atyia Moss, was held to just two points. They were instead led by forward Cetera Warren’s 12 points, making her the only Lady Cougar in double figures.

Atyia Moss (10) hits the 3-pointer in the second half.LOGAN BUCHER

Atyia Moss (10) hits the 3-pointer in the second half.LOGAN BUCHER

Clark was largely satisfied with his team’s defensive effort – they held Clarksville to their fewest points scored in a game so far this season – but the offense lagged behind.

“This game showed us a lot as far as being locked in,” he said. “I thought we were really good defensively. We knew coming in, (Berry) could take some tough shots, but she makes tough shots. We will live with those. We didn’t foul. Proud of that.

“Truthfully, you look at the stat sheet, we got to the foul line and went 3-for-14. You’re not going to win many games doing that. We missed plenty of layups. Obviously I’m not taking any credit away from them.”

The loss drops Clarksville Academy to 2-3, but considering the teams they’ve played, they’re not worried about wins and losses yet.

The newfound Clarksville High vs. Clarksville Academy rivalry, which started last season after a long hiatus, is expected to continue past this season.

Cetera Warren (12) hits the short floater in the second half.LOGAN BUCHER

Cetera Warren (12) hits the short floater in the second half.LOGAN BUCHER

“It’s good for the city,” Clark said. “It’s good for the city, for us to be able to compete. Because there was a time where the school (Clarksville Academy) wasn’t able to compete with them. But it’s just a big stage for women’s basketball. You have a lot of talent on the floor. It’s just a good game. Coach Rush and I talked – we’re going to continue this game on and on.”

Added Rush: “It’s local. I think the kids know each other. They don’t get to see each other often. They see each other in AAU, in that circuit. But because they’re in a private league, their season doesn’t really matter to what we’re doing, our season doesn’t matter to what they’re doing. But early in the season, you’re looking for good matchups and trying to get better.”

BOX SCORE

Clarksville Academy (45): Cetera Warren 12, McKenna Phillips 9, Shinae Johnson 7, Savannah Prather 7, Nevaeh Brooks 6, Atyia Moss 2.

Atyia Moss (10) waves off a teammate as she brings the ball up the court.LOGAN BUCHER

Atyia Moss (10) waves off a teammate as she brings the ball up the court.LOGAN BUCHER

Clarksville (48): Imari Berry 20, Malon Smith 12, Brystal Calhoun 8, Ella Muiznieks 4, Olivia Loos 2, Ally Howard 2.

Nevaeh Brooks (24) secures the rebound for the Lady Cougars.LOGAN BUCHER

Nevaeh Brooks (24) secures the rebound for the Lady Cougars.LOGAN BUCHER

Emma Young (33) attempts a free throw in the second quarter.LOGAN BUCHER

Emma Young (33) attempts a free throw in the second quarter.LOGAN BUCHER

Clarksville Academy's Charles Clark talks to his team before the start of the second quarter.LOGAN BUCHER

Clarksville Academy’s Charles Clark talks to his team before the start of the second quarter.LOGAN BUCHER

Malon Smith (30) hits a floater in the first half.LOGAN BUCHER

Malon Smith (30) hits a floater in the first half.LOGAN BUCHER

Imari Berry (2) attempts a 3-pointer over the Clarksville Academy defender.LOGAN BUCHER

Imari Berry (2) attempts a 3-pointer over the Clarksville Academy defender.LOGAN BUCHER

Imari Berry (2) and Cetera Warren (12) jump for the opening tip.LOGAN BUCHER

Imari Berry (2) and Cetera Warren (12) jump for the opening tip.LOGAN BUCHER

Clarksville's Brystal Calhoun (12) is announced prior to the start of the game.LOGAN BUCHER

Clarksville’s Brystal Calhoun (12) is announced prior to the start of the game.LOGAN BUCHER

Clarksville Academy's Shinue Johnson (3) is announced prior to the start of the game.LOGAN BUCHER

Clarksville Academy’s Shinue Johnson (3) is announced prior to the start of the game.LOGAN BUCHER

Clarksville's Imari Berry (2) is honored before the game for reaching 1,000 career points.LOGAN BUCHER

Clarksville’s Imari Berry (2) is honored before the game for reaching 1,000 career points.LOGAN BUCHER

The Clarksville Academy Lady Cougars warm up prior to the start of the game.LOGAN BUCHER

The Clarksville Academy Lady Cougars warm up prior to the start of the game.LOGAN BUCHER

The Clarksville Lady Wildcats warm up prior to the start of the game.LOGAN BUCHER

The Clarksville Lady Wildcats warm up prior to the start of the game.LOGAN BUCHER

 

 

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