Raider Basketball Advances to Tournament Title Game with Tuesday Win

Tyrese McGee of Coffee County basketball[Photo by Demarco Moore – Manchester Times]

A late run midway through the 2nd half lifted the Red Raider basketball team to a 53 to 40 win over Red Bank on Tuesday night in Day #2 of the Red Raider Invitational.  Coffee County outscored the Lions 22 to 2 during an 8 and a half minute span to turn a 3 point deficit into a 17 point lead.  The win advances Coffee County to Wednesday night’s championship game against East Hamilton.

In other games on Tuesday, Beech defeated Franklin County 67 to 59.  Community held off Grundy County 56 to 51 and East Hamilton raced past Middle Tennessee Christian 74 to 46.

Tied at 23 at the half, the Raiders held Red Bank to single digits in both the 3rd and 4th quarters to advance to the title game.  Coffee County was led in scoring by Garrett Eldridge who finished with 15 points.  Tyrese McGee added 13 points, including 11 in the second half.  Grant Sadler chipped in 10 points and Stephen Sullivan finished with 7 points including a pair of “and 1” plays in the 3rd quarter.

Coffee County will be back in action on Wednesday as they play for the tournament title at the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym.  That title game is set to tip at 7:30 PM.  Wednesday’s schedule is as follows: 3 PM – Grundy County vs. Franklin County; 4:30 PM – Community vs. Beech; 6 PM – Middle Tennessee Christian vs. Red Bank ; 7:30 PM – East Hamilton vs. Coffee County