An early 14-4 deficit didn’t get the Coffee County Red Raiders down.
Coffee County battled back with a 16-6 run to tie the game and eventually pull away in the second half for a 63-49 win over visiting Moore County – a game you heard live on Thunder Radio.
Coffee County got point production out of 8 different players, led by senior Connor Shemwell with 16 points in the post. Brady Nugent added 12 and Jahlin Osbourne 10.
Dayne Crosslin pitched in 8 points, including a game-opening dunk to put the Raiders up 2-0. Jackson Shemwell scored 6 of the bench, John Dobson and Cooper Reed each scored two points.
Will Harder for Moore County led all scorers with 24 points.
The Red Raiders play two games Saturday – at home at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. You can hear both games on Thunder Radio: 107.9 FM, 106.7 FM, 1320 AM, Manchester Go app and thunder1320.com.
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIO REPLAY.
Phineas Rollman 
John Dobson 
Jackson Shemwell 
Dayne Crosslin 
Jahlin Osbourne 
John Dobson 
Jahlin Osbourne 
Jackson Shemwell 
Aidan Abellana 
Brady Nugent 
Cooper Reed
Vinson, Chumley power Lady Raiders to opening night win
Freshman Olivia Vinson and senior Elli Chumley teamed up to combine for 30 points and the Central High School Lady Raiders started the 2021-22 basketball season with a 57-38 win over visiting Moore County Friday night in Manchester.
“Moore County is a good basketball team and has some really good coaching over there,” said CHS head coach Joe Pat Cope. “They had some size down low we had to deal with and we really gave them some fits with our 1-3-1 [zone] that turned out to be the difference.”
The Coffee County defense did give Moore County fits – forcing 24 Moore County turnovers on the night.
Coffee County fell behind early but took 35-24 lead into the locker room and pulled away late. Freshman Olivia Vinson scored 16 in her high school debut, teaming up with Chumley who added 14.
Kiya Ferrell pitched in 6 off the bench and Freshman Channah Gannon had 8, to go along with 3 steals.
Coffee County used a steady 8-girl rotation in the win, including three freshmen: Vinson, Channah Gannon and Ava McIntosh.
“Yeah, it’s been a while since we were playing 8-deep around here,” said Cope. “A lot more convenient than our last game last year when we only had 5 girls.”
Coffee County plays again on Saturday – 10:15 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. at home. The 10:15 game will be broadcast online at thunder1320.com. The 5:45 p.m. game will be live on Thunder Radio – 107.9 FM, 1320 AM and 106.7 FM.
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO. CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIO REPLAY.
Joe Pat Cope 
Ava McIntosh 
Kiya Ferrell 
Olivia Vinson 
Olivia Vinson 
Emma Fulks 
Alivia Reel 
Channah Gannon
— Thunder Radio photos by Holly Peterson
BASKETBALL: Lady Raider Elli Chumley officially signs with Freed-Hardeman University
Just two and a half hours before tipping off her senior season of high school basketball, Coffee County Central Senior Elli Chumley officially signed to extend her career into college.
In front of a library full of friends, family and teammates on Friday, Nov. 19., Chumley signed on the dotted line to play at Freed-Hardeman University – honoring her verbal commitment she made three months ago. Chumley signed at 3:30 p.m. – then took off to a walk through for her season opener set for 6 p.m. Friday against Moore County.
“It is such a blessing and a relief to get this out of the way [before my senior season],” Chumley told Thunder Radio when she committed. “A huge thank you to my parents and just all the coaches I’ve had along the way: coach (Joe Pat) Cope, Matt (Vinson), my dad (Rece Chumley), Amanda (Ruehling), Anita (Gannon) and my AAU coach Jerome Hoosier.
“And I really want to thank the entire Coffee County community. The support here is just amazing and I want to thank everyone here for their support.”
Chumley’s defensive prowess and masterful rebounding make her valuable to whatever team she is playing for. Last season for the Lady Raiders, Chumley averaged 8 points, 3 assists and 9 rebounds per game. She was a 68 percent free throw shooter. She tallied over 200 points and 200 rebounds for Coffee County. She was consistently in the starting lineup the past two seasons and will be again this winter.
Despite a few options, Chumley said she was able to zero in on Freed-Hardeman for a few reasons – the main one being religion.
“It was not an easy decision at first,” explained Chumley. “The main thing was how they are religiously there. That is just what I am more comfortable with and what I’ve grown up with and I think I would be more comfortable there religiously.
“And they really made me feel at home (at Freed-Hardeman),” Chumley added. “And not just the basketball team but everybody i came into contact with: admissions and people I met along the way were just so genuine and so nice it made me feel really welcome.”
Chumley plans to major in Biology. She is the daughter of Rece and Allison Chumley. She has been a 3-sports athlete during her time at Coffee County Central – also playing soccer and track & field.
You can hear more of our interview with Elli Chumley below:
Raider runner up for “Mullet of the Year” award
Yes, you read that headline correctly.
Coffee County Central cross country runner Landon Kenney is in the Tennessee Runner Mile Split semi-final round for the “Mullett of the Year” award.
Kenney is up against 4 other runners from across the state. At the time this was published, Kenney had a 350 vote lead for first place.
You can vote by clicking here.
Titans Sign DL Kyle Peko to Active Roster, Move TE Tommy Hudson to ‘Designated for Return from Injured Reserve’ List
The Titans have signed defensive lineman Kyle Peko to the team’s active roster.
Also on Wednesday, the Titans signed offensive lineman Bobby Hart and defensive lineman Amani Bledsoe to the team’s practice squad. Both players were waived from the active roster on Tuesday.
Lastly, the Titans have moved tight end Tommy Hudson to the team’s “Designated for Return from Injured Reserve” list.
This designation opens up a 21-day window for Hudson to practice with the team, and he will not count against the team’s 53-man roster until being activated from Injured Reserve.
Peko, who played in Sunday’s game against the Saints and recorded two tackles after being a gameday elevation, rejoined the team’s practice squad last month. Peko also spent training camp with the team.
Peko, formerly with the Broncos and Bills, has played in 14 career games during his career. He opted out of the 2000 season during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Titans face the Houston Texans at noon at Nissan Stadium. Listen to the game on Thunder Radio – your exclusive home for the Titans in Coffee County: 107.9 FM, 106.7 FM, 1320 AM. Titans football on Thunder Radio is sold by realtor Charlie Gonzales, Weichert Realtors Joe Orr & Associates.
Westwood sweeps Cannon County out of Manchester
Westwood swept Cannon County out of Joel Vinson Gymnasium Tuesday night – with both the Lady Rockets and Rockets picking up wins in games you heard live on Thunder Radio.
Lady Rocket 56, Cannon County 22
And it could have been worse. Westwood jumped out to a 30-5 lead in the first quarter before pumping the brakes in a blowout. Seventh grade guard Jules Ferrell scored 16 of her game-high 20 points in the first quarter as Westwood put the game out of reach early.
Audri Patton scored 8 in the first quarter and finished the night with 16. Nine different Lady Rockets were able to score on the evening: Reece Finch added 6 and Anna Reed 4.
The Lady Rockets improve to 11-0 on the season with the win and remain unbeaten in conference play. Thursday’s game with Forrest has been postponed. Westwood’s next game will be Nov. 29 at Liberty.
MISS THE GIRLS GAME? CATCH THE THUNDER RADIO REPLAY BY CLICKING HERE.
Rockets 44, Cannon County 38
The Rockets turned a 24-19 halftime deficit into a win behind a huge, 13-point second half from Kaysen Lowery, who finished with a team-high 15 points.
Matt Moore put together a 10-point night in the post, Blake Cummings scored 7 and Davis McKenzie and Kane Dixon added 6 apiece.
The Rockets move to 4-6 overall with the win.
MISS THE ROCKETS GAME? LISTEN TO THE THUNDER RADIO REPLAY HERE.
Campbell signs to continue softball career at Walters State
On Tuesday, Haidyn Campbell became the third Central High School softball Lady Raider in the class of 2022 to sign a letter of intent to play college softball. She will be going to play at Walters State Community College in Morristown, Tennessee.
The senior first baseman is having to pinch herself a little bit.
“Honestly, I still don’t think this is real,” said an elated Campbell. She signed her letter of intent in front of family, friends, coaches and teammates in the CHS library.
Campbell was a mainstay in the Lady Raider lineup in 2021 as a junior and is expected to compete at first base again this season. She hit .364 and provided solid defense last season. She settled on Walters State because of the atmosphere.
“I did a walk through with them and it built from there,” explained Campbell. “The atmosphere and the environment that the coaches operate in is what really drew me to them.
“I definitely want to thank all the coaches that I’ve had,” added Campbell. “They have all pushed me in different ways. I’ve been lucky to have my dad as a coach and I’m just so thankful to God. He has given me these talents and skills that I have.”
Campbell is the third Lady Raider in the class of 2022 to sign to play collegietely. She joins Emily Schuster (UT Southern) and Brianna Shelton (Motlow).
HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS: Coffee County Basketball Coaches Show returns on Wednesday nights
Coffee County Central High School basketball returns to Thunder Radio for yet another season of coverage this winter – beginning with the season opener Friday, Nov. 19 when Moore County comes to town.
Also returning this year is the Coffee County Basketball Coaches Show – financed by First Bank Mortgage of Manchester. The show will air live from 6-7 p.m. and be broadcast from Praters BBQ every Wednesday, beginning Dec. 1.
Every week Thunder Radio will be joined by CHS Lady Raider head coach Joe Pat Cope and Red Raider head coach Andrew Taylor, along with players, assistant coaches and even players from Coffee Middle and Westwood Middle. We will recap previous week’s games, look ahead and get to know the student-athletes playing basketball in Coffee County. The show is brought to you every week by First Bank Mortgage.
The CHS Lady Raiders and Red Raiders will open the 2021 basketball season with Moore County coming to Manchester on Friday, Nov. 19 for Hall of Champions games. The girls will play at 6 p.m. with the Raider boys to follow. You can hear Lady Raider and Red Raider basketball all season on Thunder Radio – your Coffee County Sports Authority. Listen at 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, thunder1320.com and on the Manchester Go Smartphone app.
Coffee County basketball on Thunder Radio is made possible by the following amazing sponsors:
Al White Ford-Lincoln
First Vision Bank
Shanelle Gray – REMAX 1st Realty
Dr. Jay Trussler
Common John Brewing Company
Garners Furniture & Appliance
Elk River Public Utility District
Gilley Construction
Powers Storage
Hullett’s Service Center
A Wining Attitude
Capstar Bank
Titan Material Handling
Coffee County Bank
Bush Insurance
Workout Anytime
Realtor Charlie Gonzales
Stone Fort Mortgage
Realtor BB Brown
Garretson Stone
Peoples Bank
Attorney Shawn Trail
Shemwell nominated for Great American Rivalry Series Scholar Athlete Hall of Fame
Coffee County Central quarterback Connor Shemwell has been nominated for Great American Rivalry Series Scholar-Athlete Hall of Fame Team.
Anyone can go vote for Connor to make the team. Deadline to vote is 12 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14. Voting is unlimited and can be found by clicking here.
CMS Lady Raiders dominate Warren County; Raider slide continues
A dominating second quarter left Coffee Middle’s Lady Raiders up 36-13 at halftime and on their way to a 57-26 win at Warren County Monday night – a game you heard live on Thunder Radio.
Six different Lady Raiders scored points in the win – all six scoring in the first half, led by Natalie Barnes who finished with 20.
Ella Arnold scored 12 for CMS and sixth grader Adalyn Clark added 10. Morgan Spears scored 7 off the bench and Jaydee Nogodula and Kayson Morgan pitched in 4 apiece for the Lady Raiders.
The win improves the Lady Raiders to 9-1 on the season and a perfect 6-0 in CTC play.
MISS THE GIRLS GAME? LISTEN TO THE THUNDER RADIO BROADCAST REPLAY BY CLICKING HERE.
Meanwhile, the Raider boys struggled to keep pace in a 44-20 loss to the Pioneers. The Raiders trailed 8-6 after one quarter, but a 12-0 Pioneer run to start the second quarter put the Raiders in a hole they couldn’t climb out of. The Raiders substituted liberally very early in the third quarter.
David Lewis paced CMS with 6 points. Jett Trussler, Levi Rollman and Briar Summers all pitched in 4, and Luke Campbell scored 2.
Both teams don’t play again until after Thanksgiving – when Cannon County comes to town on Nov. 29.
MISS THE RAIDERS GAME? LISTEN TO THE THUNDER RADIO BROADCAST REPLAY BY CLICKING HERE.
Grayson Sadler 
Jett Trussler 
Hank Crabtree 
David Lewis 
Grayson Sadler 
Brody Sizemore 
Tallan Crosslin 
David Lewis 
Levi Rollman 
Landan Abellana 
Luke Campbell 
Kayson Morgan 
Jaydee Nogodula 
Jaydee Nogodula 
Morgan Spears 
Natalie Barnes 
Adalyn Clark 
Ella Arnold 
Natalie Barnes 
Ella Arnold
