Reliable pliability is how the 88-win Braves reached this 2021 World Series. And it’s the quality they summoned again against the Astros in a 6-2 victory in Game 1 on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park that left both teams facing questions about what comes next.
In keeping with the theme of their season, the Braves got huge home runs in Game 1 from two of the outfielders acquired in the mad Trade Deadline dash to replace the lost production of injured star Ronald Acuña Jr., with Jorge Soler becoming the first player to hit a true leadoff home run in the World Series and with Adam Duvall launching a two-run shot to the Crawford Boxes in left in the third inning….
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You can hear Atlanta Braves baseball in Coffee County Exclusively on Thunder Radio WMSR. 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM.
BASKETBALL: Rockets fall to North at buzzer
Westwood erased a 5 point deficit in the final 35 seconds Monday night. But North was able to find just one more bucket.
The North Gators got a rebound and a put back at the buzzer to leave Manchester’s Joel Vinson Gymnasium with a 41-39 win.
The Rockets made things interesting throughout. After leading 20-11 at one point early in the second half, Westwood watched its lead dwindle and completely evaporate in the forth when North took a 37-34 lead on a rebound and put back by Gavin Wise. North added 2 more to extend its lead to 39-34 before Westwood stormed back.
The quick comeback started when Kaysen Lowery cut down the lane and finished a tough basket while drawing a foul, adding a free throw to make the score 39-37. A quick Westwood steal set up Lowery again, who tied the game at 39-39 with 12 seconds to play.
Lowery paced the Rockets with 14 points. Davis McKenzie added 10, including a big corner 3-pointer with 2:55 to play to push the WMS lead to 32-27 at the time.
Also scoring for Westwood were Blake Cummings with 6, Lane Fann 3, Will Rogers 2 and Matthew White 2.
The loss drops the Westwood boys to 0-2 on the season. The Rockets return to action Tuesday, Nov. 2 when Harris Middle comes to Manchester.
BASKETBALL: Big second half lifts Lady Rockets to blowout of North
A tight first half turned into a second half rout Tuesday night in Manchester.
The Lady Rockets of Westwood outscored North Middle 31-13 in the final two quarters to blowout the visiting Gatorettes 53-31 at Joel Vinson Gymnasium.
The Lady Rocket offense showed out in their home opener in front of a packed gym – especially in the second half when they really knocked the lid off the rim. Eighth grader Audri Patton finished with 21 points to lead all scorers. Seventh grade WMS guard Jules Ferrell piled up 20 points – 15 coming in the second half, including three 3-pointers.
The win makes four in a row for Westwood after three road tournament wins last week to open the season.
Reece Finch and Maddie Meacham each added 4 points for Westwood; Ziya Dillard and Anna Reed pitched in 2.
Westwood will return to action Tuesday, Nov. 2 when the Lady Rockets host Harris. Tip is set for 6 p.m. with the boys to follow.
Lady Raiders picked as favorites for inaugural season of District 6-4A in coaches, media polls; Raider boys 2nd
Basketball season is around the corner and it means a new district this year for the Central High School Red Raider and Lady Raider basketball teams.
The 2021-2022 basketball season will be the inaugural season for District 6-AAAA , which includes Coffee County, Warren County, Shelbyville and Franklin County. Coaches and media gathered for Basketball Media Day Tuesday at Praters BBQ in Manchester.
Coming off a 28-2 season, the CHS Lady Raiders were selected as unanimous favorites to claim a district championship this year. The Lady Raiders were selected as preseason no. 1 in both the media and coaches polls.
Girls District 6-AAAA Preseason Media Poll:
- Coffee County
- Warren County
- Shelbyville
- Franklin County
Girls District 6-AAAA Preseason Coaches Poll:
- Coffee County
- Warren County
T3. Franklin County
T3. Shelbyville
The Lady Raiders will be working hard to replace the production of Bella Vinson, who put up 2,300 career points and graduated as all-time Lady Raider leading scorer. However, CHS does return plenty of experience and an abundance of size. The Lady Raiders will feature three players who stand over 6-feet tall: Chloe Gannon, Channah Gannon and Kiya Ferrell – Chloe and Kiya each with varsity experience. Meanwhile, forward Elli Chumley, a 3-year starter and college commit, will provide plenty of leadership along with fellow senior guard Emma Fulks. Junior Alivia Reel will return to the starting lineup this season, as well.
The Lady Raiders will be without returning point guard Jalie Ruehling to start the season after she suffered a torn ACL in summer camp, but she is on track to return by the season midpoint, according to Lady Raider head coach Joe Pat Cope.
Cope, Franklin County coach Amber Gilliam and Warren County coach Anthony Lippe all return to their programs this season. Meanwhile, Shelbyville has hired new head coach Kyle Turnham, who brings 34 years of coaching experience with him.
Listen to the girls media day interviews and speeches by clicking here.
The Lady Raiders and Red Raiders open the season Nov. 19 when they host Moore County in a double header at The Patch.
Thunder Radio is once again your home for Red Raider and Lady Raider basketball this winter (driven by Al White Ford Lincoln). Listen all season long at 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, Manchester Go app and Thunder1320.com.
Elli Chumley 
Emma Fulks
Meanwhile, on the boys side, the Raiders lose multiple starters and head coach Micah Williams. But a familiar face to the Raider program – Andrew Taylor – will be on the bench for CHS this winter. The Raider boys were selected to finish second in the coaches poll, third by the media.
Boys District 6-AAAA Preseason Media Poll:
- Warren County
- Shelbyville
- Coffee County
- Franklin County
Boys District 6-AAAA Preseason Coaches Poll:
- Warren County
- Coffee County
- Shelbyville
- Franklin County
The Raiders have starting experience returning in the form of senior Brady Nugent and Phineas Rollman. CHS will also get back Connor Shemwell in the post and plan to rely heavily on junior post Jahlin Osbourne.
Improved team discipline was a point of emphasis by Nugent at media day on Tuesday.
Taylor won’t be the only new head coach to the district on the boys side. It will be the first year as head coach at Franklin County for Zach Holt and the first year for Kody Howard at Shelbyville. Warren County coach Chris Sullens only head coach returning to his team – the Pioneers reached the state sectional last year.
Listen to the boys media day interviews and speeches by clicking here.
Phineas Rollman 
Brady Nugent
BASKETBALL: Coffee Middle Raiders can’t keep pace in loss to White County
The Red Raiders of Coffee Middle played well in spurts Monday night, but the Raiders struggled to find their offense consistently and dropped the season opener 45-25 to the visiting White County Warriors.
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO. LISTEN TO THE REPLAY HERE.
The Raiders looked out of the game early, trailing 25-9 at the halftime break. But a quick 10-0 run, behind 5 points from Landan Abellana and a 3-pointer by Luke Campbell cut the deficit to 25-19.
But White County went on to outscored the Raiders 20-6 over the rest of the game to close out the win.
CMS was led in points by Jase Cashion with 9 in the post. Abellana pitched in 7 and Levi Rollman 4. Campbell had 3 and David Lewis 2 points.
The Raiders (0-1) will open conference play Thursday when Harris comes to Manchester. Tip-off at approximately 7 p.m. (following the girls game). That game will be broadcast live on Thunder Radio.
Levi Rollman 
Luke Campbell 
Landan Abellana 
Landan Abellana 
Jase Cashion 
Jase Cashion 
Jett Trussler
BASKETBALL: Lady Raiders open middle school season with thriller over White County
Coffee County hit big shots when it needed them Monday.
The CMS Lady Raiders trailed by 8 in the second half but stormed back, taking a 43-41 lead and never looking back in a 54-47 win over visiting White County in Manchester.
THIS GAME WAS BROADCAST LIVE ON THUNDER RADIO. CLICK HERE TO HEAR THE REPLAY.
CMS pulled away down the stretch with solid free-throw shooting. Natalie Barnes nailed a pair from the charity stripe with 2:30 to play and Jaydee Nogodula buried 6 straight in the final 1:12 to ice the game for Coffee County.
Barnes finished the night with a game-high 20 points. Ella Arnold had 10 before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Nogodula and Kayson Morgan each finished with 8, Sierra Starr added five and Adalyn Clark 2.
White County was led by Bella Winningham with 17 points, all coming in the first half as CMS smothered her in the final two quarters.
The Warriorettes struggled at the free-throw line, hitting just 7 of 18.
The Lady Raiders will return to action Thursday when they open conference play – Harris Middle will come to town for a 6 p.m. tip. That game will be broadcast live on Thunder Radio.
Adalyn Clark 
Natalie Barnes 
Kayson Morgan 
Jaydee Nogodula 
Jaydee Nogodula 
Jaydee Nogodula 
Sierra Starr 
Natalie Barnes 
David Vinson 
Natalie Barnes 
Ella Arnold 
Ella Arnold
Titans dominate Chiefs Sunday
Hail to the Titans.
Just six days after a rousing win over the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football, the Titans raced past another AFC contender with an impressive and one-sided win over the Kansas City Chiefs before 69,484 fans at Nissan Stadium. A game you heard live on Thunder Radio – your exclusive home for Titans football in Coffee County, presented by realtor Charlie Gonzales.
Not a bad week, huh?
The team’s 27-3 victory improved Tennessee’s record to 5-2. The Titans are tied with several other teams with the best record in the AFC after seven games.
On Sunday, the Titans did it with an aggressive offense, and a swarming defense. Continue reading this story here.
PREP SPORTS SCHEDULE: Oct 25 – Oct. 30
Area middle school basketball teams get their full slate of games underway this week – with Coffee County Middle at home Monday and the Westwood Rockets at home on Tuesday.
CMS will be at home again on Thursday. All three will be Thunder Radio Broadcasts.
Meanwhile, on Friday, the CHS Red Raider football team travels to Rhea County for the final regular season game of the year. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. Central – Thunder Pregame begins at 5:30 p.m. Central.
Listen to Thunder Radio content at 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM, listen on your phone with the Manchester Go smartphone app or click here to listen on your computer or phone.
| *Monday | 10/25/21 | 6:00 PM | CMS | Basketball | White County | Home |
| *Tuesday | 10/26/21 | 6:00 PM | WMS | Basketball | North Middle | Home |
| *Thursday | 10/28/21 | 6:00 PM | CMS | Basketball | Harris | Home |
| *Friday | 10/29/21 | 6:30 p.m. | CHS | Football | Rhea County | Away |
Also, elementary basketball league has games from 5-8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at CHS, as well as 9am to 4 pm Saturday, Oct. 30.
BASKETBALL: Lady Rockets win world tournament to open season
Westwood’s Lady Rockets were steady Saturday, scoring at least 10 points in every quarter on their way to a 46-24 win over Community in the championship of the World Tournament held at Forrest.
The win makes three straight for WMS, who dominated in the tournament and really had no close competition.
Jules Ferrell paced the Lady Rockets with a 17 point performance in the title game – she was a perfect 6-of-6 at the charity stripe.
Reece Finch added 7 points, and Audri Patton and Jazz Fells each 6. In total, 7 different Lady Rockets scored points in the win.
Westwood will have its first home game this week on Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. It is pink-out night, with multiple breast cancer awareness fundraisers taking place.
WORLD SERIES BOUND: Braves drop Dodgers in NLCS, game 1 of WS set for Tuesday
It took both great talent and resilience for the Braves and Astros to reach the 2021 World Series, which begins on Tuesday night with Game 1 at Minute Maid Park
By winning the American League pennant for the third time in five seasons, Houston once again showed off its star power and strength of its system. These are still the Astros of Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Yuli Gurriel, all of whom are vying for their second ring after winning it all in 2017. But they’ve also relied on breakout stars, such as Kyle Tucker and AL Rookie of the Year candidate Luis Garcia, to help them get back to this point despite the AL Championship Series absence of ace Lance McCullers Jr.
With the venerable Dusty Baker searching for his first World Series title as a manager, the Astros have had to endure boobirds in this first season with fans in the stands after their sign-stealing scandal erupted in late 2019. Another pennant won’t silence the skeptics, though they are quickly running out of ammo.
As for the Braves, their hopes of avenging last year’s heartbreaking National League Championship Series exit took a big hit with Ronald Acuña Jr.’s season-ending right knee injury before the All-Star break.
But rather than throwing in the towel, general manager Alex Anthopoulos added almost every outfielder available at the Trade Deadline — Eddie Rosario, Adam Duvall, Joc Pederson and Jorge Soler — to support a lineup anchored by reigning NL MVP Freddie Freeman. Now here the Braves are, having dispatched the mighty 106-win Dodgers in pursuit of their first World Series championship since 1995.
So here’s one last test of talent and resilience for two teams with a lot of both. Game 1. Game on.
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Continue reading this story here.
You can hear Atlanta Braves baseball in Coffee County Exclusively on Thunder Radio WMSR. 107.9 FM, 1320 AM, 106.7 FM.