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Sophie Vinson Signs Golf Scholarship with Trevecca
Sophie Vinson signs her college scholarship with Trevecca surrounded by family and coaches. Front Row(left to right): Brandy Vinson, mother; Olivia Vinson, sister; Sophie Vinson; Matt Vinson, father; Bella Vinson, sister. Back Row(left to right): Marshall Gilliam, assistant CHS golf coach; David Vinson, uncle; Joel Vinson, grandfather; Nancye Vinson, grandmother; Mike Ray, CHS head golf coach.
Coffee County senior golfer Sophie Vinson has signed a national letter of intent to continue her education and golf career at Trevecca Nazarene University. Vinson becomes the 16th Coffee County golfer to sign a college scholarship in the past 9 years. Vinson chose the Nashville university in a signing ceremony at CHS on Thursday. Vinson joins 2016 CHS graduate Teagan Perry on the Lady Trojans squad.
When asked why she chose Trevecca, the opportunity to play with her former teammate was a selling point to Vinson. “Teagan being thee was important and I know she will help me a lot in the transition from high school to college.” Vinson, who wants to major in communications, was at no loss for words when it came thanking people who helped her along the way. “There are so many people to thank, my parents and family, my coaches, my teammates, my classmates and the whole community have done so much to help me achieve this(scholarship)” said Vinson.
Coffee County head golf coach Mike Ray was effusive in his praise for Sophie. “Sophie will succeed because she has a determination and a will to compete and excel. She has great family support and is not afraid of hard work” added Ray.
Treveccca competes in Division II of the NCAA as a member of the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. The Lady Trojans have won 5 straight conference championships. Trevecca golfer Alexa Rippy has qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championship to be held on May 17th thru the 20th in Findlay, Ohio. Trevecca is coached by David Head.
Preds, Ducks Clash in Playoffs Again
In a rematch of last year’s Round One series, the Nashville Predators and Anaheim Ducks will meet in the 2017 Western Conference Final.
The Predators closed out their Round Two series in six games by prevailing 3-1 on home ice over the St. Louis Blues. The Ducks won four of five, including a Game Seven at home, after dropping the first two games to the Edmonton Oilers to advance in their series.
For Nashville, reaching the conference final was historic – the franchise has never been this far in the Stanley Cup Playoffs in their previous 19 years of existence.
“It’s a big step for us – not only for us as players, but also as an organization,” goaltender Pekka Rinne said. “It’s something that we haven’t done before. To see that third goal – that empty-netter – that’s a great relief. It was a really tight game, and [the Blues] played hard. All series, I thought each game was really hard and tight – a lot of one goal games. To see Jarny put that in – that was a great feeling, and obviously a big relief.”
The conference final is set to begin on Friday in Anaheim, with the first two games being played at Honda Center, before Games Three, Four and Six* (*if necessary) will be at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
For now, here are the cliff notes for this year’s Western Conference Final:
Preds Record vs. Ducks in 2016-17 Regular Season: 1-1-1
The Predators fell to the Ducks in their most recent meeting, 4-3 in a shootout on March 7, after Anaheim rallied from an early two-goal deficit to tie the game and later win in the extra rounds of a shootout. The first two contests of the season series were both blowouts, with Nashville winning 5-0 on Nov. 12 in the only contest of the season series in Music City. Anaheim won 6-1 on Oct. 26 on home ice.
How They Got Here:
Nashville knocked off the top team in the West in the First Round when they swept the Chicago Blackhawks. Now they’ll have to face the conference’s No. 2 team in Round Three. The Preds followed their upset of the Hawks in Round One by taking Game One on the road in St. Louis and then claiming three wins on home ice to advance to the conference final.
Anaheim also swept their Round One series, taking out the Calgary Flames in four games. The Ducks took the first two games at home and then rallied from a three-goal deficit in Game Three to win 4-3 in overtime in Calgary. In Round Two, the Ducks dropped both games at Honda Center to open their series with the Edmonton Oilers. But in Game Three, the Ducks’ offense connected repeatedly for a 6-3 win to get on the ledger. Anaheim later evened the series in Game Four with another road win. The series may have turned in Game Five when the Ducks came back from three goals down in the final four minutes of regulation to force overtime. In the second extra session, Corey Perry tallied the game-winner. After dropping Game Six by a whopping 7-1 margin in Edmonton, the Ducks found redemption in Game Seven with 2-1 triumph.
History:
Barely a year ago, the Predators forced the first Game Seven in franchise history in their Round One series with the Ducks and took the series-deciding game, 2-1, at Honda Center.
The changes to both teams have been low in number but high in impact since that postseason meeting, with the Preds trading former captain Shea Weber for P.K. Subban in the summer and the Ducks replacing Head Coach Bruce Boudreau with Randy Carlyle (who previously won the Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007). The Ducks also acquired 30-goal-scorer Patrick Eaves, who is currently injured, at the Trade Deadline.
Carlyle had the Ducks rolling down the stretch, going 15-0-3 to close out the regular season, including a March 7 shootout win over the Preds. That momentum has rolled into the playoffs for Anaheim as well, with the Ducks going 8-3 in the postseason.
Similarly, the Predators are a blazing 8-2 in the playoffs and have been immaculate on home ice, going 5-0 at Bridgestone Arena. Nashville has won nine consecutive at home in the postseason, dating back to a 3-1 win over the Ducks in Game Six of their 2016 First Round series.
The Preds also won a 2011 First Round meeting between the two teams.
Sounds Falter Late, Losing Streak Hits Four Games
The losing streak for the Nashville Sounds hit four games as the Albuquerque Isotopes took game one of the series, 7-5, in front of 7,860 fans at First Tennessee Park Thursday night.
The Sounds (13-17) held a 4-2 lead into the seventh inning but the bullpen faltered down the stretch. Michael Brady allowed a run in the seventh, and Aaron Kurcz coughed up the lead in the eighth when Albuquerque plated a pair of runs to take a 5-4 lead. It’s the first time the Sounds have lost a game when leading after six innings.
The loss wasted a solid effort by Sounds starter Chris Smith. The veteran right-hander allowed two runs on four hits over six innings. He walked a pair and struck out six. Smith’s third-inning strikeout of Mike Tauchman was the 1,000th of his career.
His battery mate, Matt McBride, came up with a big hit for Nashville. Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth, McBride found himself at the dish with the bases loaded. The catcher sent a line drive into the left-center gap, clearing the bases to give the Sounds a 3-2 lead.
With one out in the fifth, Matt Olson drew a walk to spark another rally. With Matt Chapman at the plate, Olson swiped second base to get into scoring position.
Chapman was retired on a fly out, but Joey Wendle blooped a double down the left field line to score Olson and give the Sounds a 4-2 lead.
After Smith finished his six innings, it was all Albuquerque. Brady’s throwing error helped the Isotopes plate a run in the seventh, and a balk by Kurcz in the eighth contributed to the Isotopes taking the lead.
The Sounds loaded the bases with nobody out in the ninth but only came away with one run on Matt Olson’s sacrifice fly.
Kurcz was tagged with the loss, his third of the season. Austin House earned the win to improve to 3-0 for Albuquerque.
Game two of the four-game series is scheduled for Friday night at First Tennessee Park. Right-hander Daniel Gossett (0-2, 4.91) starts for Nashville while Albuquerque has not announced a starter. First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m.
Coffee County Commissioner Arrested for Alleged Public Intoxication
Steven Ray Jones intake photo
According to Police Chief Mark Yother, Colvin received a call from Assistant Chief Adam Floied that Jones could possibly be impaired. Jones was inside the Coffee County Administrated Plaza attending Tuesday’s County Commission meeting. The report goes onto say that when Jones was leaving the building and on his way to his car, Colvin explained to Jones what was going on.
Click below for a statement from Jones about what occurred:
The police report says that “multiple people” in attendance at the meeting smelled alcohol on Jones’ person.
Jones was taken to the Coffee County Jail and booked for public intoxication under $500 bond.
According to what Jones said, after paying a fine of $363, he was released from the Coffee County Jail.
Click below to hear how Jones feels after all that has happened over the last couple of days:
Winchester Man Arrested After Pursuit
A Winchester man is facing charges in Franklin County and Coffee County following a high speed pursuit that started in Estill Springs Wednesday afternoon.
According to Estill Springs Police Chief Allen Rhodes, Lt. Matt Baker attempted to stop a vehicle and the driver “took off.” Sgt. Rocky Thomas then joined the pursuit as did Franklin County Sheriff’s Deputy Martin Tyler.
According to Franklin County Sheriff’s Sgt. Chris Guess, the pursuit was on Highway 41A from Estill Springs to Tullahoma. Once inside Tullahoma the driver, Jerry Ayers, 24, of Cherry Lane, Winchester, turned onto Vocational Lane and drove to Rock Creek Rood with officers in pursuit. Once on Rock Creek he turned onto property owned by the Tennessee Department of Corrections and drove around and back onto Rock Creek Road and back to Highway 41A headed back toward Estill Springs. At Wiseman Road Ayers turned onto Wiseman Road and crossed over to the Old Estill Springs Road with law enforcement in pursuit.
“Once at the Old Estill Springs Road, Ayers turned and headed toward Tullahoma,” Guess said. When they reached Harton Boulevard and Mitchell Boulevard, Deputy Martin bumped Ayers car causing it to flip over. He was taken into custody by Coffee County Investigator James Sherrill. Ayers was transported to Tennova—Harton Hospital where he was treated and released. He was then turned over to authorities and booked into the Franklin County Jail.
“During the chase, he nearly hit two young children,” Guess said.
Ayers has charges pending in Coffee County.
Franklin County Deputy Tyler charged him with second offense of driving on suspended license, reckless endangerment, speeding, failure to yield, DUI, reckless driving, financial responsibility, failure to maintain control of his vehicle, failure to obey traffic control and felony evading arrest. His bond was set at $150,000 and he is to appear in Franklin County General Sessions Court on Aug. 17.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol investigated the accident.
Authorities still Searching for Missing Rutherford County Teenager
Devin Bond
Devin Bond, 16, of Armor Place, disappeared March 31. Detective Will Pinson, who is investigating, told our news partner WGNS Radio that a close friend said Devin expressed an interest in running away before and living as a homeless person. He packed a bag prior to leaving and stuffed pillows and blankets in his bed to show he was still there.
The teen has been missing for around 6 weeks.
People who have any sightings of the teen are asked to call the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office immediately at 615-898-7770.
Warmer Weather could mean Bad Tick Season
The winter months were unusually mild this year and health officials say that means we could have a bad tick season.
That’s causing many people to worry about tick-borne illnesses.
The concern is all of the illnesses ticks can carry such as Lyme disease.
If you’re going to spend time outdoors, experts suggest wearing long sleeves and pants if possible.
It’s also a good idea to wear insect repellent and always check your body for ticks when you come inside.
5/13/17–Naomi Ruth Spears Love
NAOMI RUTH SPEARS LOVE
(November 2, 1933 – May 10, 2017)In lieu of flowers, the family requests
donations to be made to: Hospice of the Highland Rim, 110 East Lauderdale
St., Tullahoma, TN 37388 www.hospiceofthehighlandrim.org
VISITATION: Saturday, May 13, 2017, 10 – 2:00 P.M. at the Central Funeral
Home, 2812 Hillsboro Highway, Manchester, Tennessee
FUNERAL: Saturday, May 13, 2:00 P.M. at Central Funeral Home
BURIAL: Gardens of Memorial Cemetery Morrison, Tennessee
CENTRAL FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS.
CHS Softball Clips Shelbyville; Secures a Region Tournament Berth
Tori Bell of CHS softball (Photo by John St. Clair, stclair-sports.com)
The Coffee County Lady Raiders punched their ticket to next week’s Region 4AAA softball tournament with a 2 to 1 win over Shelbyville on Wednesday night in the District 8AAA semifinals. Tori Bell hit a massive solo home run and Kaylee Skipper pitched a 5 hitter with 6 strikeouts. The win advances Coffee County to Thursday’s district championship.
After each team scored a 1st inning run, Bell hit a one out solo home run to straightaway center field to give Coffee County their only lead of the game. Skipper worked out of a bases-loaded, one out jam in the 6th inning to shut down a dangerous Eaglette rally.
Shelbyville used 2 hits and an error in the top of the first inning to take a 1 to 0 lead. Raven Rogers drew a walk and scored on Haley Hinshaw’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 1st inning to knot the score at 1. Other than Bell’s home run, Coffee County did not get a runner to 3rd base the rest of the game.
Bell finished the game with 2 of Coffee County’s 4 hits on the night. Ashley Evans and Katie Rutledge each added a single. Ball and Skipper were named the Crazy Daisies co-players of the game.
Coffee County advances to Thursday’s final against Lawrence County. The Lady Raiders would need to defeat Lawrence County twice to claim a district title. The finals will be held at Jim Chance Field on the campus of Lawrence County High School. The first game begins at 5 PM and Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you all the action. Our exclusive coverage begins with the pregame show at 4:50.
Download the broadcast at: http://www.thunder1320.com/downloads/
CHS Soccer Season Comes to a Heartbreaking End
Breyer Taylor(left) accepts the game ball from his May 1st record breaking goal at Fayetteville from Coach Robert Harper. Taylor broke Ricky Ramirez’ career goal scorign record with his 52nd goal against Fayetteville. Taylor finished the year with 55 goals.
For the 2nd consecutive year, the Tullahoma soccer team ended the Red Raiders season in the semifinals of the district tournament on the Raiders’ home pitch. Tullahoma used a goal in the 60th minute to break a 2 to 2 halftime tie and advance to Friday’s District 8AAA finals with the 3 to 2 win over Coffee County.
Coffee County got off to a great start as they controlled the play in the middle of the field in the opening minutes. John Parigger put Coffee County on top 1 to 0 in the 19th minute off an assist from Paco Barrera. Tullahoma tied the match in the 26th minute before taking their first lead at the 30 minute mark 2 to 1. A determined Breyer Taylor muscled his way through the Wildcat defense to level the match in the 32nd minute as the 2 teams went to the half tied at 2.
Despite outshooting Tullahoma 8 to 3 in the 2nd half, Coffee County saw Tullahoma capitalize with the game winner in the 60th minute. Coffee County made things interesting in the finals seconds as the Raiders got 4 shots in the final 5 minutes with 2 of those coming in the final minute of play. Coffee County missed a shot high as the horn sounded to conclude the match. The loss is the first district loss of the year for the Raiders as they will end the season with a mark of 11-4-1. The loss was the first for the Red Raiders since March 24th.