The Coffee County Red Raider basketball team will close out their summer season on Thursday with a day of scrimmage games at the Joe Frank Patch Memorial Gym.  The Red Raiders will host 6 games, featuring 5 visiting teams beginning at 9 AM.  Coffee County will play in the 1^st and last game of the day as they are scheduled to take on Cannon County at 9 AM and Fayetteville at 2 PM.  The complete schedule:

9 AM – Coffee Co vs. Cannon County

10 AM – Jackson County vs Grundy County

11 AM – Cannon County vs. Moore County

Noon – Jackson County vs. Fayetteville

1 PM – Grundy County vs. Moore County

2 PM – Coffee County vs. Fayetteville

Ellie Graham of Coffee County CHS basketball[file photo]

Trailing Dickson County by 12 points with 4 minutes remaining, Coffee County mounted a huge comeback to tie the game and send it to overtime.  In overtime, the Lady Raiders got a 4 for 4 performance at the free throw line from Kasen Holt to grab a 47 to 43 win over the Lady Cougars who advanced to the Sectional Round of the playoffs in February.  Jalie Ruehling led the Lady Raiders in scoring with 15 points.  Jenna Garretson recovered from an injury on Tuesday to add 11 points.

In the day’s second game, Coffee County and Bearden engaged in a tough defensive battle.  The Lady Raiders played well but came up short by a final score of 33 to 27.  Kiya Ferrell led Coffee County in scoring with 8 points.  Olivia Swain, Ruehling and Emily Graham all added 6 points against a Bearden team that beat Riverdale on Tuesday.

The JV team concluded the 3 day team camp with a 40 point win over Lakeway Christian.   The JV Lady Raiders closed out a 4 and 0 week with a 58 to 18 win over the East Tennessee squad.  “I am really happy with how hard (the teams) played this week” said Lady Raider coach Joe Pat Cope.  “We played well today” he added noting that a lot of JV players got action as well at the varsity level.  The Lady Raiders will take off from now through the Dead Period.  They will resume team workouts in July.

Katie Rutledge of CHS softball

Coffee County senior softball player Katie Rutledge was selected to the Tennessean All-Midstate Softball Team that was announced on Tuesday.  This is the second selection for Rutledge to the squad picked by the Nashville newspaper.  Rutledge was also selected in 2017 following her sophomore season.

Rutledge was selcted to the 2^nd team All-Midstate squad as she joined Lincoln County’s Anna Marie Thornton as the only 2 members of District 8AAA selected.   Last week, Rutledge was selected to participate in the Tennessee Softball Coaches Association All Star Game.  Rutledge was also a 3 time all-district player for Coffee County.

Rutledge led the Lady Raiders in average(.468), hits(51) and runs scored(40) this season.  Rutledge finished the year with a pitching record of 3 and 2.  Rutledge has signed to play college softball at Blue Mountain State in Mississippi.

An injury depleted Lady Raider basketball team struggled on Day #2 of the MTSU Team Camp on Tuesday.  Missing three of their leading scorers, Coffee County’s varsity dropped both games to a pair of quality opponents.  The JV team won their only contest.

The varsity opened up with a hard fought loss to a strong Maryville.  The Lady Raiders cut the deficit to 2 points late in the game before falling by a final score of 62 to 48.  Marley Perry led Coffee County in scoring with 18 points.  In the second game, Coffee County took on perennial power South Greene.  The Lady Raiders fought hard before falling by a final score of 54 to 51.  Coffee County was led in scoring by Perry who had 23 points.  The rising sophomore hit twelve 3 point shots on the day.  The JV kept their unbeaten streak alive with a  40 to 14 win over Silverdale.

“I liked the way we competed” said Lady Raider coach Joe Pat Cope.  “The girls are giving 110%, we are just missing some key pieces” added Cope.  Coffee County will close out their summer season on Wednesday when they return to MTSU for the final day of the camp.  The varsity will play games at 1 PM against Dickson County before closing out with a 4 PM game against Bearden.  The JV team will take on Riverdale at 5 PM.

### UPDATE – 7:22 AM – Wednesday’s CHS baseball camp has been postponed until Friday. ###

The Coffee County CHS baseball skills clinic on Tuesday at Powers Field was postponed due to wet field conditions.  The camp will conclude on Wednesday, weather permitting.  In case of rain on Wednesday, the final day of the camp will be held on Friday.  The camp is open to ages 5 to 17 years of age. The camp will run from 9 AM to 12 noon.

Campers will work with Head Coach David Martin, his high school staff (which includes Matthew Shepherd who pitched in San Diego Padres organization and J.V. Head Coach Parker Gunn), and some varsity players. Each camper will receive age appropriate hands on instruction in all aspects of the game.  The camp is open to players of all ability and skill levels.

Campers will need to bring with them: Bat, Glove, Tennis Shoes, Cleats, Hat and Batting Helmet. Players will utilize the facilities at Powers Field and the Crethan Hansert Hitting Facility on the campus of Coffee County Central High School.  Please contact David Martin (martindavid@k12coffee.net) or 931-743-2279 with any questions.