CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Northeast High shooting guard Nazier Leonard has scored his way to Clarksville Now Player of the Week honors for the week of Nov. 28.

The Eagles’ first game came against their inner-city rival, the Northwest Vikings. After one half of action, the game was tied at 27 points. In the third quarter, Northwest found some separation and won the game 58-53.

Northwest found ways to limit Lenoard’s offensive scoring production, part of the reason for their victory. However, Leonard still scored 15 points against the Vikings, and he said the loss only motivated him more as Northeast prepared for Kenwood High in their own gym.

The 6-foot-3 shooting guard dropped 31 points against Kenwood en route to their 72-65 victory. Leonard scored 18 of his 31 points in the first half.

“After losing to Northwest, we decided we were going to try and build a streak,” said Leonard. “We felt like we could have won the game, but we let it slip. It was good to get it back against Kenwood and build chemistry too.”

Leonard ended last week averaging 22 points per game.

2022-23 season

Leonard has been one of the best guards in the county to begin the season. According to Northeast Head Coach Samuel Young, Leonard has averaged 30 points per game and 8 rebounds per game.

His best performance came against Henry County when he scored 54 points. Leonard’s 54 points broke the all-time record for most points in a game by an Eagles player.

The record was originally set at 49 points by Northeast alum and former Kentucky Wildcat Alex Poythress.

“The hot start to my senior year means a lot,” said Leonard. “We weren’t that good last year, so it means a lot to come back and have a better start. … Hopefully we can keep it going. When it comes to me, it’s been very unexpected. But I’m very glad that I could contribute to our wins.”

Coaches corner

“Nazier’s scoring really hasn’t been a surprise,” said Northeast Head Coach Samuel Young. “I know he mentioned it was a surprise to him, but it isn’t to me. I didn’t expect him to score in the high 30s and break the school record, but he’s always been a good scorer.

“Naz always finds ways; whether it’s getting to the rim, three ball, whatever it is, but he’s always had a knack for scoring the ball. He’s probably one of the best scorers I’ve had since I’ve been here. Nazier is starting to understand when to turn it on, when to give it up and when to do the things necessary to make his team better. The points that he’s scored haven’t been selfish points, but they’ve been within of what we’re doing. That’s what I’ve liked the most,” Young said.

“Naz isn’t a huge vocal leader, but he leads by his actions. He’s a good kid who I never have to worry about what he’s doing off the court. He’s always putting himself in a good situation and surrounding himself with the right people. Naz has also picked up his energy level, which is something we’ve preached over the past couple years. We wanted him to be better at everything, not just one thing, but trying to get his game well-rounded. I think he’s doing a better job of doing that.”

What’s next

After a win against Dickson County on Tuesday, Northeast High basketball moved their record to 4-2 on the season.

They have won two straight after falling to Northwest. The Eagles will look to take on the Portland Panthers on Friday to extend their streak to three games.

As for Leonard, he has hopes of playing basketball at the collegiate level but has not decided where he’ll be doing so at this time. The student-athlete does have aspirations of studying business, however.

Honorable mention

Several other players had great weeks on the basketball court. Here are some that merit special mention:

  • Clarksville Academy forward Eddie Ricks III; averaged 18.9 points per game in a three-game span.
  • Montgomery Central forward Josiah Rankhorn; averaged 15.5 points, 13.5 Rebounds and 4 blocks against Todd County and Houston County.
  • Rossview High forward Landon Hankemeier; scored 13 points against Brentwood Academy on the road, which included a game winning shot at the buzzer.