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HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Lady Raiders roll to 14-1 with Saturday win over Goodpasture
Sophomore post Chloe Gannon stepped out of her comfort zone in the second half Saturday afternoon – knocking down a pair of 3-pointers to help lead the Central High School Lady Raiders to a 66-26 win over visiting Goodpasture.
Gannon finished the game with 18 points – 12 coming in the second half, and of those came on two third quarter possessions when she was left unguarded at the top of the arch and drained 3-pointers.
“I’m glad to see Chloe shoot that,” said CHS head coach Joe Pat Cope. “We have to have the confidence that we can knock those down if they are going to leave us open like that.”
Senior Bella Vinson teamed up with Gannon to help the Lady Raiders pull away in the third quarter. Vinson scored 11 of her 22 in the third period, leaving the game with 2 minutes left in the quarter. Vinson finished with a game-high 22 points.
Sophomore guard Jalie Ruehling also got into double digits with 12 points, including a pair of 3-pointers in the second half.
The Lady Raiders outscored Goodpasture 30-4 in the third quarter after leading 29-14 at the half.
Also scoring for Coffee County were Elli Chumley with 4 points, Emma Fulks 4, Alivia Reel 3, Princess Penaloza 2 and Remi Benjamin 1.
The win pushes Coffee County to 14-1 on the season. The Lady Raiders will host Lawrence County at 6 p.m. Tuesday. You can hear this game on Thunder Radio beginning with 5:45 p.m. pregame show: 107.9 FM, 106.7 FM, 1320 AM, Manchester Go app and thunder1320.com.
SPARTA SWEEP: Lady Raiders pull away from White County for regular season sweep
A season sweep over any team is good.
But two wins over White County tastes just a little bit sweeter for Coffee County.
Coffee County’s Lady Raiders hit 16 free throws in a row and were perfect at the charity strip in the fourth quarter to pick up a 52-43 win over the Warriorettes in Sparta Friday night (a game you heard live on Thunder Radio).
“We executed so well down the stretch, and that is a challenge I gave them this week,” said Lady Raider head coach Joe Pat Cope.
The Lady Raiders trailed 22-20 at the half and 32-20 entering the final quarter. Execution was nearly flawless in the fourth quarter for Coffee County.
Sophomore guard Jalie Ruehling didn’t score in the first three quarters and was forced to sit with foul trouble in the second half, but she stepped up and perfectly handled pressure in the 4th quarter and went 8-for-8 at the free throw line.
“I knew what I had to do for the team,” said Ruehling.
Lady Raider senior Bella Vinson was steady throughout for Coffee County. Vinson finished with 22. She also dropped 8 consecutive free throws in the second half.
Junior Elli Chumley scored 10 of her 12 in the second half – including 4 at the free-throw line.
“Coach (Rece) Chumley identified a mismatch and we were able to really use Elli in the second half,” explained Cope.
Vinson, Chumley and Ruehling were named tri-players of the game by Thunder Radio.
Chloe Gannon added 6 points and Aliia Reel 4. The Lady Raiders attacked the paint all night. In fact, they didn’t hit a single 3-pointer.
Defensively, Coffee County smothered the Warriorettes most of the night. Star outside shooter Gracie Dodgen was limited to 2 points. Nia Powers scored 15 for White County off the bench.
The loss was just the third of the season for the Warriorettes – two coming at the hands of Coffee County. The Lady Raiders first beat the Warriorettes on Nov. 24 in Manchester (69-65 in overtime).
The win improves Coffee County to 13-1 on the season. The Lady Raiders will host Goodpasture at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9 in a girls only game. You can hear that game live on Thunder Radio.
Raiders can’t hold down Slatten, Warriors in second half
Coffee County’s game plan to limit touches for White County star Grant Slatten and control the pace of the game worked in the first half Friday night in Sparta.
But the final two quarters were a different story.
The Raiders led 8-0 early and led most all of the first half, but Slatten ripped off 19 in the second half and the Warriors picked up a 70-55 win over the CHS Red Raiders.
Coffee County led for the entire first half but a late Warrior field goal put White County up 27-25 with 15 seconds left in the half and sparked a 16-0 run that lasted well into the third quarter and was ultimately the Raiders’ demise.
The Raiders didn’t pick up a field goal until 5 minutes into the third period.
Despite giving up the big run and battling foul trouble, the Raiders cut the score to an 8 point game in the fourth quarter twice, but the Warriors kept their distance.
Jaxon Vaughn finished with 11 for CHS despite battling foul trouble all night before eventually fouling out. Kyle Farless also fouled out and finished with 11 points.
Connor Shemwell with 9 points was named Stone Fort Mortgage player of the game by Thunder Radio.
Hayden Hullett scored 8 and played strong defense against Slatten – holding the Ole Miss signee to 9 first half points. Hullett had to sit much of the third quarter with foul trouble.
CJ Anthony and Trenton Scrivnor scored 7 for CHS and Tyler Taylor 2.
The loss drops Coffee County to 5-5 on the season. The Raider boys will be back in action Tuesday night when Lawrence County comes to town – 6 p.m. tip for the girls and the boys to follow. As usual – these games will be broadcast live on Thunder Radio – 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, Manchester Go app, thunder1320.com.
Scheduling notes
The Raiders will host Franklin County in a boys only contest on Thursday, Jan. 14. Tip is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on Thunder Radio.
CHS spring softball schedule released
Coffee County Central High School Lady Raider softball coach Brandon McWhorter has released his teams 2021 schedule.
| Date | Time | School | Sport | Opponent | Location |
| 3/15/21 | 7:00 PM | CHS | softball | Warren County | away |
| 3/16/21 | 7:00 PM | CHS | softball | Columbia* | home |
| 3/17/21 | 5:00 PM | CHS | softball | Brentood | Away |
| 3/19/21 | TBD | CHS | softball | Mary Vowell Tournament | Away |
| 3/20/21 | TBD | CHS | softball | Mary Vowell Tournament | Away |
| 3/23/21 | 7:00 PM | CHS | softball | Shelbyville | Away |
| 3/24/21 | 7:00 PM | CHS | softball | Tullahoma | Home |
| 3/25/21 | TBD | CHS | softball | Warrior Classic | Away |
| 3/26/21 | TBD | CHS | softball | Warrior Classic | Away |
| 3/27/21 | TBD | CHS | softball | Warrior Classic | Away |
| 3/29/21 | 7:00 PM | CHS | Softball | Franklin County | away |
| 3/30/21 | 6:30 PM | CHS | softball | Lincoln County | away |
| 4/5/21 | 6:00 PM | CHS | softball | Lawrence County | away |
| 4/6/21 | 7:00 PM | CHS | softball | Columbia | away |
| 4/9/21 | TBD | CHS | softball | Gibbs Tournament | away |
| 4/10/21 | TBD | CHS | softball | Gibbs Tournament | away |
| 4/12/21 | 7:00 PM | CHS | softball | Warren County | home |
| 4/13/21 | 7:00 PM | CHS | softball | Shelbyville | Home |
| 4/15/21 | 6:30 PM | CHS | softball | Nashville Lady Knights | Home |
| 4/16/21 | 6:30 PM | CHS | softball | siegel girls only | Away |
| 4/19/21 | 6:30 PM | CHS | softball | Tullahoma | Away |
| 4/20/21 | 7:00 PM | CHS | softball | Franklin Couty | Home |
| 4/23/21 | TBD | CHS | softball | Coffee County Classic | Home |
| 4/24/21 | TBD | CHS | softball | Coffee County Classic | Home |
| 4/26/21 | 7:00 PM | CHS | softball | Lincoln County | home |
| 4/28/21 | 6:00 PM | CHS | softball | Lawrence County | Home** |
| 4/29/21 | 6:00 PM | CHS | softball | Cascade | Home |
| 5/5/21 | TBD | CHS | softball | District Play In Game | |
| 5/6-13 | TBD | CHS | softball | District Tournament | Tullahoma |
| 5/17/21 | TBD | CHS | softball | region semi finals | |
| 5/19/21 | TBD | CHS | softball | region finals | |
| 5/21/21 | TBD | CHS | softball | state sectionals | |
| 5/25-28 | TBD | CHS | softball | state tournament |
CMS Raiders hold off 4th quarter rally for CTC win
Down two starters, the Coffee Middle School Red Raiders withstood a 16-point fourth quarter onslaught and picked up a 39-36 CTC win Thursday night at Warren County.
Evan Kirby was able to navigate foul trouble and still pace Coffee County with strong play in the paint – finishing with 15 points. Brady Wright added two big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to keep Coffee County in front. Wright finished with 8 points.
Courtland Farrar added 8 points for the Raiders, Brennan Young 4 and Jase Cashion 2. The Raiders were minus starters Colter Neel and Cole Pippenger for the night.
The win improves the Red Raiders to 7-3 on the season (all conference games). The Raiders will host North Franklin on Monday, Jan. 11.
CMS Lady Raiders blow past Warren County
Seven different Lady Raiders scored points – including two in double digits – as Coffee Middle pulled away from Warren County in a 51-17 win Thursday night over Warren County in McMinnville.
The win improves the Lady Raiders to 11-1 overall and keeps a perfect 10-0 Central Tennessee Conference record.
CMS led 15-7 after the first quarter and really pulled away in the second – outscoring the Lady Pioneers 14-0 to take a 29-7 halftime lead.
Eighth graders Channah Gannon and Olivia Vinson paced the Lady Raiders with 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Vinson hit a 3-pointer in the first quarter and finished 4-of-6 at the free-throw line. Gannon dominated in the paint and also stepped outside to knock down a 3-pointer.
Ava McIntosh picked up 9 points for the Lady Raiders – all coming in the second and third quarters – including a 3-pointer. Sophie McInturff added 7 points, Natalie Barnes 5, Kaylee Mason 5 and Ella Arnold 2.
The Lady Raiders will host North Franklin on Monday, Jan. 11.
Tennessee unemployment claims shoot up
After 32 consecutive weeks of declining continued claims of unemployment in Tennessee, that trend reversed at the end of December and the first week of January. This according to data provided by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Developoment.
Coincidentally, timing of this trend reversal began the week that President Donald Trump signed the $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill on Dec. 27.
In Tennessee for the week ending on Dec. 26, there was a jump in new claims: with 10,198 new unemployment claims compared to the 7,411 the week prior.
The following week, ending Jan. 2, there were 16,554 new claims for unemployment filed.
This resulted in a jump of continued claims (which are claims with weekly certifications) from 43,482 to 51,816 in two weeks time.
The most recent job percentage numbers in December showed that unemployment in all 95 of Tennessee’s counties decreased, including a 1.9 percentage point improvement in Coffee County. December’s numbers should be available next week.
Tennessee consolidated retirement named top three best-funded state pensions
The Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) has once again been recognized nationally as one of the best-funded state pension programs in the country. In a recent report, Pew Charitable Trusts, a nonprofit focused on non-partisan government research, listed Tennessee, along with New York and South Dakota, as best prepared to fulfill pension promises made to public employees.
TCRS is the defined benefit pension plan serving over 369,000 active and retired state, higher education, and participating local government employees, as well as K–12 public teachers. Administered by the Tennessee Department of Treasury, TCRS provides a lifetime retirement, and survivor and disability benefits for employees and their beneficiaries.
In its latest State Pension Funding Gap Report, Pew points out that as policymakers deal with the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, policies on pensions will play an important role in determining how well states are able to weather an economic downturn. The report identifies the good practices Tennessee has historically followed to protect its pension, such as lowering investment return assumptions, adopting cost-sharing policies, and fully funding the actuarially determined contribution. The findings are based on trends since before the Great Recession, as well as over the five-year period since 2014.
Pew recognizes Tennessee for the adoption of the Hybrid Plan with Cost Controls established through legislation passed by the Tennessee General Assembly in 2014. As stated in the report, Tennessee enjoys “steady and consistent budget costs over the five-year time horizon while remaining at or near full funded status.” The report further states that Tennessee is one of “three states … in which funded status remained above 90% while pension contribution rates varied by less than 1% of payroll.”
“My primary focus as Treasurer is protecting the retirement of our teachers, state government employees, local government employees, police officers and firefighters, and others who have dedicated their lives to serving Tennessee,” said State Treasurer David H. Lillard., Jr., who also serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees for TCRS. “I am extremely proud of this achievement and the work Tennessee does every day to protect the retirement of those who serve the public in Tennessee.”
Treasurer Lillard points to the sound financial management and proactive investment management as the source of its success. In the last fiscal year, the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System paid $2.75 billion in benefits to 146,382 retirees across the state. The retirement benefits paid by TCRS have an economic impact in all 95 counties.
PEW bases its reporting on data provided by each of the state pension plans. TCRS recently completed the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (https://t.e2ma.net/click/t6h12f/5n7lps/h54on7), which provides a financial overview of our state’s retirement system. The report is provided annually to the Government Financial Officers Association to present a clear picture of financial health of the pension.
The Tennessee General Assembly has consistently voted to fully fund the actuarially determined contribution – a key factor in Pew’s recognition of successful public pension plans.
To read more on public pension funding throughout the country, visit the Pew Charitable Trusts research (https://t.e2ma.net/click/t6h12f/5n7lps/xx5on7) website.
AEDC largest union elects officers
The Air Engineering Metal Trades Council (AEMTC), Arnold
Engineering Development Complex’s largest union, has elected its new
officers.
The new officers include: Alvin Cleek, President; Allen Garner, Vice
President; Jason Kelley, Recording Secretary; Annette Painter, Financial
Secretary; Kevin Glaser, Sergeant-at-Arms; Chris Cleek, Ricky Taylor and
Mike Riddle, Trustees; and Brian Farless, Tim Orange, Tommy Anderson and
Michael Buckner, Grievance Committee members.
The AEMTC officers will each serve three-year terms.
PICTURED: Engineering Metal Trades Council (AEMTC) gather for a photo on Jan. 5, 2021,
at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. Officers include: Alvin Cleek, President;
Allen Garner, Vice President; Jason Kelley, Recording Secretary; Annette
Painter, Financial Secretary; Kevin Glaser, Sergeant-at-Arms; Chris Cleek,
Ricky Taylor and Mike Riddle, Trustees; Brian Farless, Tim Orange, Tommy
Anderson and Michael Buckner, Grievance Committee members. Pictured starting
from back left down: Michael Buckner, Annette Painter, Alvin Cleek and Tim
Orange. Second row: Chris Cleek, Kevin Glaser, Jason Kelley and Tommy
Anderson. Not pictured: Allen Garner, Mike Riddle, Ricky Taylor and Brian
Farless. (U.S. Air Force photo by Deidre Moon)
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Raiders release 2021 football schedule
Coffee County Central High School head football coach Doug Greene has released the 2021 football schedule for the Red Raiders.
Remaining on the schedule are familiar non-region foes such as Franklin County and Tullahoma, which are the first two games on the schedule Aug. 20 and 27.
However – gone from this year’s slate are all of those old Region 3-6A powerhouses such as Riverdale, Oakland and Blackman.
New to the 2021 schedule are Shelbyville, which is now a region opponent, Page, Lebanon (region game), Spring Hill and Rhea County.
Rockvale remains on the schedule but is now a non-region game. Also remaining on the schedule from prior years are Warren County and Cookeville, which remain as region opponents.
Doug Greene – who is entering his third season as the Red Raider head coach – will join Thunder Radio on the Coffee Coaches Show Saturday (10-11 a.m.) to discus the new schedule. You can hear the Coffee Coaches show at 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, on the Manchester Go app or online at thunder1320.com. You can also join the show in person at Al White Ford-Lincoln (2002 Hillsboro Blvd.)
The season kicks off on Aug. 20. You can listen to the Red Raiders live on Thunder Radio – your home for Red Raider football for 64 years.
Schedule:
Aug. 20 AT Franklin County – 7 p.m.
Aug.. 27 vs. Tullahoma – 7 p.m.
Sept. 3 AT Shelbyville * 7 p.m.
Sept. 10 vs. Page – 7 p.m.
Sept. 17 AT Lebanon* 7 p.m.
Sept. 24 – AT Spring Hill – 7 p.m.
Oct. 1 – vs. Warren Co.* – 7 p.m.
Oct. 8 – OPEN
Oct. 15 – vs. Cookeville – 7 p.m.
Oct. 22 – vs. Rockvale – 7 p.m.
Oct. 29 AT Rhea County – 6:30 p.m.
An * denotes region game.
Bold games at home.
Previous version of this story showed two open dates. That has been corrected.