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CHS Basketball Holds Awards Banquet

Lady Raider 2017 seniors (left to right) Aerial Williams, Bailey Morgan, Holli Smithson & Kyan Northcutt-Starr

The Coffee County CHS basketball teams held their end of the year awards banquet on Sunday. Both teams celebrated the accomplishments of 4 Lady Raider seniors and 5 Red Raider seniors and their respective teams. Individual awards were handed out along with senior awards and varsity letters. Each team finished the year with identical 21 and 8 records.
Lady Raider seniors Kyah Northcutt-Starr, Bailey Morgan, Holli Smithson and Aerial Williams each were honored and recognized by Lady Raider coaches Herb Horton, Abby Lynch and Sarah Elam. The team as a whole was awarded the TSSAA Distinguished Academic Achievement Award for a team GPA of 3.81. Of the 26 players in the Lady Raider basketball program, 23 were honored for having a GPA of 3.5 of better.

 

Lady Raider 2017 Award winners

Individual awards for the Lady Raiders were:
Junior Varsity MVP – Ashley Starks
Coaches Award – Byanka Woods
Most Hustle Award – Jenna Garretson and Alliyah Williams
Most Improved Player – Jacey Vaughn & Kyah Northcutt-Starr
Best Offensive Player – Abby Morgan
Best Defensive Player – Bailey Morgan
Player of the Year – Holli Smithson
Lady Raider Award – Aerial Williams

Red Raider 2017 Seniors (left to right) Garrett Eldridge, Maurice McGee, Tyrese McGee, Stephen Sullivan & Grant Sadler

Red Raider seniors Garrett Eldridge, Maurice McGee, Tyrese McGee, Grant Sadler and Stephen Sullivan were honored and recognized by Red Raider coaches Micah Williams, Andrew Taylor, Derek Jones and Jon Spears. Twenty of the 30 players in the Red Raider program were honored as recipients of the TSSAA Distinguished Academic Achievement Award as having a GPA of 3.5 or better. The Red Raider team GPA for the year stands at 3.42 and 3 Red Raider seniors, Maurice McGee, Tyrese McGee and Stephen Sullivan are members of the Top Ten Percent for the Class of 2017.

Red Raider 2017 Award winners

Individual Awards:
Rebounding Award – Grant Sadler
Steals Leader – Tyrese McGee
Assists Leader – Garrett Booth
Leader in Drawing Charges – Tyrese McGee
2 Point Field Goal % Leader – Stephen Sullivan
3 Point Field Goal % Leader – Grant Sadler
Free Throw % Leader – Garrett Eldridge
Offensive Player of the Year – Garrett Eldridge
Defensive Player of the Year – Tyrese McGee & Stephen Sullivan
Most Improved Player(Freshmen) – Jalen Morris
Most Improved Player(JV) – Harley Hinshaw
Most Improved Player(Varsity) – DeAaron Rozier
Raider Award(Freshmen) – Sawyer Vaughn
Raider Award(JV) – Justin Jones
Raider Award(Varsity) – Maurice McGee
Most Valuable Player(Freshmen) – Roderick Brinkley
Most Valuable Player(JV) – Darius Rozier
Most Valuable Player(Varsity) – Stephen Sullivan

Tullahoma Woman Missing

Tabitha Kolankiewicz

The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office is attempting to locate Tabitha Kolankiewicz. She was last seen leaving her residence (50 Maple Ave., Tullahoma, TN.) at approximately 6:30am on Thursday March 30. Kolankiewicz was traveling to Advanced Financial in Nashville. She was driving a 2012 beige in color Chevy Malibu bearing the tag number V91-60F. Kolankiewicz was wearing brown boots with zippers and black leggings and has brown shoulder length hair.
If anyone has any information about Kolankiewicz whereabouts you are asked to contact Investigator Todd Hindman of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office at 931-962-0123.

Tullahoma Police looking for Two Theft Suspects

The Tullahoma Police Department needs your assistance identifying two subjects that were allegedly involved in a theft from a local business. The man and woman are accused of theft from Walmart on North Jackson St. on March 29.
Anyone with information about this crime or the identity of these subjects please contact the Tullahoma Police Department at 931.455.0530 and speak with Investigator Johnny Gore or by emailing him at jgore@tullahomatn.gov.

Two Sexual Assault Suspect being Sought

Suspect A

Detectives with Bedford County Sheriff’s Office are requesting the public’s assistance in an on-going investigation. On Monday, March 20, 2017, a female was sexually assaulted in the area of Highway 82 South, near the bridge, along the Duck River. The attack occurred around 2:00 p.m. A silver or gray SUV was observed parked near the scene, as well as an aluminum flat bottom boat.
Suspect A is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’6” to 5’7” tall, with very short, black hair. Suspect A has a mole on his cheek. Suspect A is estimated to be between the ages of 35 to 45. Suspect B is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5’6” to 5’7” tall, with short, black hair. Suspect B is estimated to be between the ages of 20 to 30.

Suspect B

Bedford County requested assistance from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s forensic imaging specialist in creating a composite sketch of the two suspects.
If you were in the area of Highway 82 South March 20 around 2pm and have any information that may assist, please contact Detective Host at 931.684.3232. You can remain anonymous.

Tullahoma Airport Named “Airport of the Year”

Pictured L to R: TN Aeronautics Commissioner – Kirk Huddleston, TN Aeronautics Commissioner – Fred Culbreath, Airport MGR – Jon Glass, TN Aeronautics Commissioner – Butch West, TAA Vice Chairman – Karla Smith, TAA Board member – Jim Apple, BOMA/TAA liaison – Ray Knowis.

The City of Tullahoma is pleased to announce that the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission (TAC) named the Tullahoma Regional Airport/William Northern Field as the 2017 Airport of the Year at the annual Airport Conference held in Murfreesboro at the Embassy Suites March 20 – 22. This is the first time that the Tullahoma Regional Airport has won this prestigious award out of the seventy-nine airports in state.
“The Tullahoma Regional Airport has participated in some very special events in addition to continuing to develop capacities for economic development – all while supporting their standard flying activities,” said TAC Division Director, Bill Orellana.
“We are proud of the work being done by the team at the Tullahoma Regional Airport, and we want to thank the TAC for this fantastic recognition,” said Tullahoma Airport Authority Chairman, Dr. Don Daniels.
The Tullahoma Regional Airport has been aggressively continuing pavements maintenance projects while pursuing multiple economic development opportunities. Since 2013, the Tullahoma Airport has built two aprons on the NW side to include a maintenance hangar, hosted two privately funded maintenance hangars and an access road. Additional development includes concrete ramp repairs, remarked the primary runway, and rehabbed some very old taxiways, giving access to the new Tullahoma Business Airpark. These projects amount to nearly $4 million in construction and have attracted a DOD contractor, Sarasota Avionics and XP Services avionics installer.
“The small, dedicated airport staff does a great job ensuring a welcoming and professional environment to both pilots and patrons. And the Airport Authority members have a demonstrated history of providing strong leadership and vision,” said Mayor Lane Curlee. “I congratulate all associated with our airport on jobs well done. I am proud of everyone’s efforts.”
Other factors that made Tullahoma the Airport of the year include, “The Tullahoma Airport has over 140 based aircraft and experiencing approximately 40,000 flight operations per year. The airport has realized record fuel sales for three years in a row. The Tullahoma Airport is home to the University of Tennessee Space Institute Flight Research Center, Vanderbilt Life Flight, and Skydive Tennessee and are the annual staging base for the Bonnaroo Music Festival.
An additional asset that resulted in this award is the fact that the Tullahoma Airport is home to the world class Beechcraft Heritage Museum, who entertains many visitors, especially during the very well-attended yearly Beech Party fly-ins. Beech aircraft come from all over the country, and the ramp fills with historic, restored planes.
The Airport and the museum also attracted the attention of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). They selected Tullahoma as the Southeast Regional Fly-in location for 2015. Regional fly-ins have replaced the old annual AOPA convention, and have taken AOPA closer to their membership by moving around the country to multiple locations each year. Tullahoma saw 375 airplanes make their way through rough weather to attend safety seminars, talk with vendors and suppliers, and network with others interested in aviation.

Red Raider Baseball Drops Doubleheader on Friday

Jacob Langham of CHS baseball

The Coffee County Red Raider baseball team dropped a pair of games on Friday night in the 2nd day of the Warrior Classic in Murfreesboro.  Coffee County took on Loretto and Stewarts Creek High Schools at Stewarts Creek.  In the opener, Coffee County dropped a 7 to 4 decision to Loretto.  In the nightcap, the Red Raiders lost to Stewarts Creek by a score of 10 to 0.

Against Loretto, a 4 run 5th inning was not enough to capture a win against the Mustangs.  Loretto built a 5 run lead before Coffee County rallied in the 5th to make it a 1 run game.  Coffee County banged out 5 hits to plate the 4 runs highlighted by a 3 run home run from Nathaniel Tate.  Jacob Langham had a single and a double and Davis Green finished with a pair of singles.  Jacob Duncan took the loss on the hill for Coffee County.

In the nightcap, Stewarts Creek pounded out 11 hits in a 10 to 0 victory over Coffee County.  After scoring 3 runs in the 2nd inning to put Coffee County on the ropes, the Red Hawks delivered the knockout blow with a 6 run 3rd inning.  Coffee County was held to 4 hits on the game led by Jacob Langham who had a pair of singles.  Scottie Duke got the start for Coffee County and took the loss.  Freshmen Garrett Davis and Zach Milan also saw time on the mound for Coffee County.

The Raiders will conclude play in the Warrior Classic on Saturday when they travel to Blackman for a noon game with the Blaze.  Coffee County will return to district play on Tuesday when Franklin County visits Powers Field for a 6 PM game.  Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you all the action as Lucky Knott will be on the call beginning with the pregame show at 5:50.

Preds Fall To Blues on Sunday

The Nashville Predators failed to clinch a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs when they were defeated by the St. Louis Blues, 4-1 at Scottrade Center on Sunday.

The Predators (40-28-11) can still clinch a spot on Sunday if the Los Angeles Kings lose to the Arizona Coyotes in any fashion.

St. Louis moved two points ahead of Nashville for third place in the Central Division.

The Blues (43-28-7) got second-period goals from Alexander Steen and David Perron to break a 1-1 tie, and Jake Allen made 35 saves to improve to 9-1-2 in his past 12 starts, allowing two or fewer goals in 10 of 12.

Perron had a goal and two assists, and Vladimir Tarasenko and Joel Edmundson also scored for St. Louis, which improved to 5-0-1 in its past six games at home.

Ryan Johansen scored for the Predators and Juuse Saros made 21 saves. Nashville, which has three games remaining, went 2-3-0 playing five games in seven days.

Tarasenko gave the Blues a 1-0 lead at 5:22 of the first period, 19 seconds after a Nashville power play that included 1:04 of 5-on-3.

The Predators scored on a 5-on-3 in the first, with Johansen scoring 11:22 to tie the game at 1-1.

Steen put the Blues ahead 2-1 55 seconds into the second after a Perron pass, and Perron made it 3-1 at 6:47.

Edmundson made it 4-1 at 8:11 of the third period.

Rinne Backstops Preds to Win Over Wild

It’s down to one.

Pekka Rinne stopped all 31 shots he faced and the Nashville Predators defeated the Minnesota Wild by a 3-0 final on Saturday afternoon at Bridgestone Arena. The result gives Nashville 40 wins and 91 points, while bringing their magic number to clinch a playoff spot to one.

An afternoon that played out like a playoff game, according to Predators Head Coach Peter Laviolette, saw solid play from the home club from start to finish.

“I thought both teams played really hard today,” Laviolette said. “It was playoff hockey. It was fast, and it was tight. Any team that didn’t play like that for 60 minutes, you probably weren’t going to win the game.”

“We knew they were a really good team,” Filip Forsberg said. “We’ve played them a couple of times, and we knew it was going to take a 60-minute effort. I’m really proud of everyone for what we did today, that’s for sure.”

A scoreless first period was turning into a goaltender duel between Pekka Rinne and Alex Stalock, and the two clubs almost went through the first 40 minutes without a tally, until Filip Forsberg and Kevin Fiala broke through.

At 17:21 of the second stanza, Forsberg tipped in a Roman Josi point shot for his 31st goal of the season, and just 10 seconds later Fiala drove to the net all by himself and tucked the puck past a sprawling Stalock to give Nashville a 2-0 advantage after two periods.

From there, Rinne shut the door down the stretch and P.K. Subban added an empty-netter for his 10th goal of the season and a 3-0 victory over the Central Division rival.

“Any time you have a good game it is nice, especially at the end of the season,” Rinne said. “A shutout is a bonus on top of that. Again, I thought it was a great game, and the guys did a really good job in front of me.”

Now it’s on to St. Louis for the Predators, and just one point on Sunday afternoon against the Blues (or the Kings failing to gain a point against the Coyotes) would clinch a spot in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs for the third-straight season.

“[Tomorrow] is probably the biggest game of the year so far, and it’s going to be fun,” Forsberg said. “It’s going to be really fun to go in there and try to climb the standings as high as we can.”

It was beginning to look as if the Preds might not be able to get anything past Alex Stalock on Saturday afternoon. Ten seconds in the middle frame changed all that.

Goals from Filip Forsberg and Kevin Fiala right after the other gave the bench – and the building – life as Nashville continued their second-period dominance over their opponents, outscoring teams by 33 this season, the highest margin in the NHL.

“Kevin’s goal really put some energy on the bench,” Laviolette said. “You don’t want to chase a game like that, you don’t want to be down 1-0 or 2-0. You want to get that first goal and get that lead in a game like this. I think it was really important. I think the guys were happy about that, but for Kevin to knock one in 10 seconds later was huge.”

“[They were] two big goals at a good time,” Forsberg said. “Fans got their Big Macs, and everyone is happy.”

And Then It Was One:

With a win on Saturday over Minnesota, the Predators brought their magic number to one when it comes to postseason metrics, setting themselves up for a chance to clinch a spot in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday.

Even with two losses last week, Laviolette is seeing exactly what he wants from his team more often than not as of late – solid defensive play and timely scoring with his team pushing the pace. After winning a potential playoff matchup against the Wild, there’s just one more point to snag.

“I think, as a team, you always have to give respect to the other team,” Rinne said. “Minnesota is a really good hockey team. I think we always play pretty entertaining games against them. It was a pretty big matchup, considering if [we] face them in the first round. These games matter.”

“We’re playing the right way,” Laviolette said. “Hopefully, the results lead to something that you’re happier with like today. It’s a good way to be playing right now.”

Notes:

James Neal was scratched from Saturday’s game with an upper-body injury. Craig Smith returned to the lineup on Saturday after missing Thursday’s outing with an upper-body injury.

Colin Wilson appeared in his 500th NHL game on Saturday, all of them coming as a member of the Predators.

Nashville hit the 40-win plateau for the 10th time in franchise history, all of them coming within the last 12 seasons.

The Predators are right back at it tomorrow afternoon in St. Louis, a 3 p.m. CT meeting with the Blues from Scottrade Center to begin the final week of the regular season. Nashville then returns to Bridgestone Arena on Tuesday night against the New York Islanders for their final home game of the regular season.

4/1/17 — Vera Jean Watson Parks

Vera Jean Watson Parks, age 85, of Manchester, passed away on March 30,
2017, at the Manchester Healthcare. She was born on August 22, 1931 in
Hillsboro as the daughter of the late Elza Watson Sr. and Martha Perry
Watson. Vera and the late Charles Parks were married and resided in
Manchester. Vera was very family oriented and enjoyed spending time
visiting with family, especially her nieces and nephews. Vera was also
preceded in death by seven brothers; Roy, Carl, Harlan, Herman, Sam, Elza
Jr., and Leonard, and a sister; Argie Lynn.
ENTOMBENT SERVICE: Saturday, April 1, 2017, 4:00 P.M., at the Rose Hill
Mausoleum
CENTRAL FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS.

Carroll Dallas Brown

Mr. Carroll Dallas Brown, age 81, of Manchester, Tennessee, passed away at his home on March 31, 2017. There will be no services conducted at this time.

MANCHESTER FUNERAL HOME IS HONORED TO SERVE THE BROWN FAMILY