Aerial Williams(Photo by Jay Bailey – Manchester Times)
The 3rd quarter proved to be the deciding period on Tuesday night as the Raider and Lady Raider basketball teams finished the “Pre-Thanksgiving” portion of their season in Huntland. In the girls game, Coffee County turned a 2 point halftime deficit into an 8 point lead as the Lady Raiders got a 48 to 44 win. Coffee County forced 7 Huntland turnovers in the quarter and stretched their lead to 11 points early in the 4th quarter. Huntland made a run late, but Coffee County kept their poise and hit their free throws down the stretch to even their season record at 1 and 1. Holli Smithson and Aerial Williams led the Lady Raiders in scoring with 10 points each. Freshman Abby Morgan finished with 7 points. For her strong post play, Williams was named the Gateway Tire and Service Center Player of the Game.
LeAundre Graham(Photo by Jay Bailey – Manchester Times)
The Red Raiders saw turnovers and missed shots in their 3rd quarter contribute to their first loss of the year 65 to 54 to the Hornets. After a back and forth first half, the Red Raiders saw their 2 point deficit at the half balloon to 17 points at the end of the 3rd period. Coffee County was led in scoring by LeAundre Graham who had 9 points to earn Gateway Tire and Service Center Player of the Game honors. Kohl Young finished with 8 points and Caleb McKenzie came off the bench to net 7 points.
Coffee County will return to the court on Monday, November 30 when they travel to Fayetteville to take on the Tigers of Fayetteville High. Tipoff is set for 6 PM and Thunder Radio will bring you the call beginning with the Powers Storage/Char-El Apartments Pregame Show at 5:50. Coffee County returns home on Tuesday night as they play host to Grundy County.
