Iron sharpens iron.
Most teams want to schedule difficult non-region teams to start their season in order to learn about themselves and gain experience against better teams so that they aren’t shell-shocked later in the season.
The Dickson County Lady Cougars got experience on Tuesday. The Clarksville Lady Wildcats got the 58-46 win.
“We knew we were going to compete,” said Clarksville coach Brian Rush. “The kids competed in everything. That’s one thing we don’t have to really coach out of them, but I think their court awareness and basketball savviness has really grown.
“Understanding how to handle game situations becomes very, very key. I thought once we got that lead, our kids knew what to do with it. There was a point where we all looked at the clock and thought, ‘We’ve got the ball, we’re not giving them the lead.’”
After Clarksville took a 21-20 lead into halftime, they exploded for 38 points in the third and fourth quarters, while holding the Cougars to 25, 17 of which came in the fourth quarter.
The Wildcats were led by forward Sydney Weatherford’s 17 points and Erin Lackey’s 14.
Meanwhile, Dickson County’s Olivia Rinehart and Sierra Morgan each put up 16 points. But the Cougars still have plenty of learning to do before they reach the spot they hope to be in.
“There’s lots to work on, and I think that’s one of the best things to learn early in the season,” said Dickson coach Erin Webb. “It helps keep you from getting complacent. Got to take care of the ball, got to get in shape and run with the ball like we’re trying to do. Look for us to be able to do that later in the season for sure.”
The Wildcats (1-0) will host Brentwood on Thursday at 6 p.m. The Cougars will return home to face Nolensville on the same date and time.
GIRLS BOX SCORE
Clarksville (58): Sydney Weatherford (17), Erin Lackey (14), Destiny Hill (9), Mya Collins (8), Nariah Nicholson (2), Kate Howard (2).
Dickson Co. (46): Olivia Rinehart (16), Sierra Morgan (16), Hanna Ingram (6), Anna Claire Milam (3), Caty Roberts (2), Anna Leatherwood (2), Rylee Moore (1).
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