BRACKET Preview: Class 10 AAA
Clarksville Northeast (14-2) finished the season on top of District 10-AAA and they earned the #1 seed.
Like Northeast, Rossview only dropped five games all season. The second-seeded Hawks of Rossview feature a multi-pronged attack with Will Midlick (PrepHoops #31), Austin Jackson, Kole Monson, and Max Leinweber.
If they get through Henry County and the winner of Clarksville/West Creek, then it could set up a whimsical District Championship.
Imagine a 24-5 Northeast team hosting a 25-5 Rossview team, the guests trying to claim retribution for two narrow regular season defeats. Remember Northeast collected two wins over Rossview by a combined six total points.
The dream matchup is promised to no team though. Look for Kenwood (#4) to be a handful in the semifinals. Kenwood Knight Class of 2020 guard James Williams (18.7 ppg) creates a multitude of problems.
Again Kenwood vs. Northeast is a hypothetical matchup, but the Friday clash could pit Williams against two of the best defenders in the district in Jaleel Fletcher and Quinton Cross. The two Eagles held down another quality guard, Dennis Stallings back in December.
Springfield’s 78-77 win Friday over regular season champion Northeast adds a curious wrinkle to the playoff draw. Perhaps Springfield could challenge the favorites this Friday, merely a week after the aforementioned upset.
West Creek (16-12) inarguably wrapped a spotty season last week, but it deserves mention that the Coyotes won five of six games against teams in the bottom half of the bracket. West Creek swept both Henry County and Clarksville. Only Rossview managed a win against the junior-laden squad. Could this be a harbinger?
The Coyotes boast one of the quickest teams in central Tennessee. It would behoove West Creek Head Coach Russell Malone’s team to emphasize guard play and fiercely protect the paint. Frontcourt players can really have a field day against the undersized Coyotes if the ball gets deep.
When the quarterfinals tip Friday the favorite has to be Northeast and imagining any team other than Rossview dethroning the Eagles strains the brain.
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