Story by Darryn Strickland

Players, cheerleaders and coaches from the Manchester Youth Football League at the MTSU game on October 20th [Photo provided]

The Motlow State Lady Bucks recently completed the first season of women’s soccer in school history by winning six of their final eight contests and finishing with an 8-7-1 record. First row, from left: Kinsli Houck, Anastasia Wellington, Alex Ragan-Laye, Ali Shelton, Tyler Feaster, Angela Molina and Megan Blumhoefer. Second row from left: Bailee Walls, Calli Simmons, Natalie Feaster, Lena Alakabi, Kayla Moultry, Shelby Grow and Bethany Porter. Back row from left: Hannah Feaster, Zach Crownover, assistant coach; Rebekah Duross, Emily Bryant, Keely Smith, Andy Lyon, head coach; and Paige Loveless. [Motlow State Photo]

Motlow (8-7-1) outscored the opposition in those final six contests by a combined 26-3. After a 2-5-1 start to the season, the Lady Bucks went 6-2 over their final eight games, with both of the losses coming by a single point to established junior college programs.

The finale, played on a cold night at Martin Methodist College, was the second meeting between the Lady Bucks and the RedHawks in the past five days, with Motlow winning the first game 6-0.

The Lady Bucks controlled the action for much of the contest Wednesday, with freshman Tyler Feaster scoring the first goal at the 32-minute mark. Motlow’s offense was stymied somewhat in the first half, which ended with that 1-0 advantage.

The two teams continued to play solid defense through the first 30 minutes of the second half before Motlow’s offense began breaking down the RedHawk defense. Anastasia Wellington scored at the 75-minute mark to increase the lead to 2-0, Bailee Walls added a goal at 79 minutes to up the lead to 3-0, and Angela Molina capped off the scoring at the 88-minute mark.

Because Motlow is the only Tennessee Community College Athletic Association member that plays Division I soccer, there is no conference or Region VII tournament. The Lady Bucks had certain criteria they had to meet in order to qualify for the postseason, where they would have joined teams from Mississippi and Florida, but did not meet those criteria.

The Lady Bucks will now go into their offseason program, which lasts until Feb. 1, 2018, when they can begin working together again as a team. The National Junior College Athletic Association allows four scrimmage dates in the spring, and teams can work together until April 30.

Motlow only has two sophomores on its roster, Wellington and Ali Shelton, although both have another year of soccer eligibility at the junior college level.

Visit the official website of Motlow Athletics at MotlowSports.com for rosters, schedules, stats and more. Interact with Motlow Athletics on social media at MotlowSports.

Marley Perry of CCMS basketball

The Coffee County Middle School basketball teams opened the 2017-2018 season on Monday night in Tullahoma.  In a pair of games you heard here on Thunder Radio as part of the First National Bank Hometown Sports Series, the Raiders and Lady fought to a spilt with West Tullahoma.  The Lady Raiders captured a 30 to 12 win while the Red Raiders fell by a score of 56 to 35.

The Lady Raiders outscored West 12 to 1 in the 2^nd period to put the game out of reach by halftime.  Coach George Pearson was able to empty his bench in the 2^nd half in the dominating conference win.  Marley Perry led all scorers as she had 14 points, including a pair of 3 pointers in the decisive 2^nd period.  Kiya Ferrell chipped in 7 points.

Connor Shemwell of CCMS basketball

First half foul trouble, punctuated by a pair of 3 point plays by West in the opening minute of the 2d period but Coffee Middle in a deep hole in the boys’ game at the half.  A rally to begin the 2^nd half saw the Raiders cut the deficit from 17 points to 12.  But West was able to force several Raider turnovers down the stretch to grab the win.  The Raiders were led in scoring by Connor Shemwell who finished with 9 points.  Jacob Holder added 7 points and Aiden Abellana chipped in 6 points.

Coffee Middle is back in action next week when they take part in the Rockvale Tournament in Rutherford County.  The tournament opens up on Monday, the Raiders and Lady Raiders first round opponents and game times will be announced later this week.

You can download copies of the broadcasts by visiting: http://www.thunder1320.com/downloads/

Marissa Medina of CCMS basketball

The Coffee County Middle School 6^th grade basketball teams hosted their final home game of the year on Monday as they welcomed Warren County to the CCMS gym.  The Lady Raiders saw a first half lead disappear in a 24 to 23 loss to the Lady Pioneers.  The Red Raiders saw Warren County lead from wire to wire in a 30 to 17 loss to the Pioneers.

In the girls’ game, the Lady Raiders carried a 3 point lead into the 4^th quarter of a low scoring game.  Despite going 4 for 4 from the free throw line in the 4^th quarter, Coffee County did not score a field goal in the final period as Warren County completed the comeback.  The Lady Raiders were led in scoring by Marisa Medina who had 9 points.  Remi Benjamin and Samantha Kirby each finished with 4 points.

Cooper Reed of CCMS basketball

After being held to a single field goal in the first half, the Red Raiders saw themselves in a 13 to 7 hole at intermission.  Warren County outscored 11 to 5 in the final period to hold off the Raiders.  Cooper Reed led Coffee Middle in scoring with 5 points.  Jackson Shemwell finished with 3 points.

The Raiders and Lady Raiders hit the road to close out the season on Thursday and Friday night.  Coffee County travels to McMinnville on Thursday to take on Warren County.  Coffee Middle closes out the season on Friday in Wartrace when they visit Cascade.  Both doubleheaders get underway at 6 PM.