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Clarksville Lady Tigers bow out of playoffs
Things really looked good for Manley’s team early, as Aleana Fisher scored nine points in the first quarter. Her putback with 2:36 left in the first handed Clarksville a 15-6 advantage. But with 2:05 remaining in the frame, the Lady Tigers' star picked up her second foul and was forced to sit. For Clarksville, things would not be the same again. Fisher remained in foul trouble throughout the game and was forced to ride the bench on several occasions. And for the rest of the Clarksville team, the shots just wouldn't fall. Union Grove took advantage of the Lady Tigers' leading scorer's absence by recording the final six points of the first, but the Lady Tigers (24-4) still moved to the second leading 15-12. Clarksville managed just one field goal and eight points in the second quarter. In fact, the Lady Tigers scored just 13 total points through periods two and three combined, which doomed the team to its fate. The Lady Lions (27-6) grabbed their first lead of the game when Alisha Borden hit two charity shots with 5:29 left in the half to give Union Grove a 16-15 advantage, but three straight free throws from Fisher gave Clarksville an 18-16 lead with 5:05 left in the half. With 4:26 left, Borden tied the contest 18-18, but Fisher would again answer with her lane jumper at the 4:08 mark to give Clarksville a 20-18 lead. However, with 3:47 remaining in the half, Fisher would have to sit after picking up her third foul of the evening. Three free throws from Nikki Rosser allowed Clarksville a 23-21 lead at the intermission. Fisher ended the half with 14 points, but she would add just two more through the final two quarters. Skyy Talbert opened scoring in the second half by hitting two-of-three free throws after being fouled on a three-point shot attempt at the 7:49 mark. With the score then tied at 23-23, the Lady Tigers opened up a four point 27-23 lead thanks to Tremika Taylor’s follow shot and Offsheia Ricks’ jumper at the 6:15 mark. Union Grove responded with an 8-1 run to close the quarter with a three point, 31-28, advantage. Fisher scored on a post move with 7:50 remaining in the game to draw Clarksville to within 31-30, but with 7:37 left, she was again on the bench after picking up her fourth foul. The junior would return with 5:37 left and Clarksville trailing 36-32, but the Lady Lions proceeded to reel off the next four points to take a 40-32 advantage with 4:13 left. Senior point guard Nikki Rosser tried to spark a Lady Tiger comebac, as she delivered the lone three-pointer of the game for Clarksville. Her bomb put Manley's team to behind by just five, 40-35, with 3:58 left. Rosser would score 11 of her game-high 18 in the final frame, including her putback with 2:28 left, which drew the Lady Tigers to within 42-39. Unfortunately for Clarksville, that was as close as the Lady Tigers would get. Clarksville ended the game with junior Lamesha Williams and Rosser also in foul trouble with four fouls. The Lady Tigers were whistled for 20 total fouls in the game. Clarksville connected on just 10-of-21 charity shots while the Lady Lions nailed only 12-of-26. Fisher joined Rosser as the only Lady Tigers to score more than two points in the game, as she reached her season average of 16. Taylor, a senior playing in her final game, scored two points for Clarksville. Union Grove was led by Borden with 17 points while Schana Dyar followed with 14, including three treys. Union Grove improves to 27-6 and will play a regional quarterfinal game next week. The Lady Tigers won the District 17-2A championship with a perfect 10-0 record after finishing in the cellar last season with a 2-8 league record. Manley has just completed her first season at the helm in Clarksville. Honey Grove is now the lone girls team in the Red River Valley still involved in postseason play. The Lady Warriors will play a regional quarterfinal game next week. Union Grove 12 9 10 14 — 45 Clarksville 15 8 5 13 — 41 Union Grove (27-6) — Alisha Borden 17, Schana Dyar 14, Jamie Allen 8, Skyy Talbert 4, Jordan Woodruff 2. Threes: 3 (Dyar 3). Free Throws: 12-26. Fouls: 18. Clarksville (24-4) — Nikki Rosser 18, Aleana Fisher 16, Tremika Taylor 2, Lamesha Williams 2, Offsheia Ricks 2, Olivia Ingram 1. Threes: 1 (Rosser). Free Throws: 10-21. Fouls: 20.
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