The Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association(TSSAA) released new classification breakdowns for Tennessee High School sports beginning with the school year 2017 and continuing thru 2021. New in this classification period is more separation in classification for some sports. In years past, volleyball, soccer, cross country, track & field, golf and tennis have shared classification with basketball, softball and baseball. In the new system, basketball, baseball and softball will remain classified together in classes split evenly by enrollment. Each of the other sports mentioned will be broken out into 3 classifications evenly by participating schools. Wrestling will continue to be broken out into 2 classes mirroring the classifications for basketball. Football will remain in 6 classes, split evenly by enrollment.
As expected, Coffee County will be placed in the highest classification for each sport. Coffee County Central was classified based on an enrollment of 1,733 students which ranks CHS as the 34th largest school in Division 1 out of 258 schools classified for sports. Schools will have until Noon central time on October 25, 2016 to notify the state office of their wish to move up in any of the classification plans. Once the deadline passes, the state office staff, with input from Board members, will set districts and regions and post them to the TSSAA website when complete. Schools that disagree with their placement will have the opportunity to request an appeal before the Board of Control at the November scheduled meeting set for November 17th.
A complete listing of where Coffee County will be classified can be found at the TSSAA website at: http://tssaa.org/school-classifications-by-sport-2017-2021/
Category: Sports
New Classifications Set By TSSAA
Motlow State Women’s Soccer Program to Hold Tryout Nov. 12
The new Motlow State Community College women’s soccer program will hold its first tryout on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the Johnson Lane Recreational Fields in Tullahoma, according to Head Coach Andy Lyon. The tryout session is scheduled from 10 a.m. – noon.
“The tryouts will allow me to watch players and see how they mesh with different groups and situations,” said Lyon, who was hired to lead the new program in August. “I am extremely excited to get started. Those that try out will get to see the caliber of student-athletes that have already expressed an interest in our program.”
The tryout is open to high school seniors and to those who are current Motlow freshman students. Attendees must bring appropriate clothing and footwear, and must bring proof of a completed physical examination within the previous 13 months.
“There has been a very encouraging amount of interest in the program since it was announced in late July,” added Lyon. “I have received nothing but encouragement from the soccer community and I am confident that we are going to field a team that they can be proud of.”
For further information about the tryout and the Motlow women’s soccer program, contact Coach Lyon at alyon@mscc.edu or 931-393-1622.
CHS Soccer Falls in Region Semifinal Heartbreaker
CHS Soccer seniors left to right Karson Young, Lexie Roberts, Holli Smithson, MaKenzie Anderson and Caitlyn Moore
The Coffee County Central High School soccer season came to a close on Tuesday as the Lady Raiders lost a heartbreaking 1 to 0 decision to the Lady Stars of Siegel in the Region 4AAA semifinals. The loss is the first shutout of the season for Coffee County. The Lady Raiders held the heavily favored Lady Stars scoreless in the first half.
Siegel outshot Coffee County 15 to 5 on the night but it was a goal from Siegel’s Ashley Lawson in the 50th minute which was the difference. Lawson, a verbal commitment to Clemson, got the only goal past Coffee County keeper Holli Smithson on the night. The senior keeper recorded 7 saves in the match.
The loss ends a fantastic season for Coffee County as the Lady Raiders finish with a record of 14-6-1. It also closes out the careers of 5 Lady Raider seniors. In addition to Smithson, seniors Lexie Roberts, Karson Young, Caitlyn Moore and MaKenzie Anderson ended a senior season which saw Coffee County finish 2nd in District 8AAA and 3rd in Region 4AAA. The Lady Raiders are coached by David Amado.
Westwood Splits Home Opener with Middle Tennessee Christian
Kasen Holt of Westwood basketball
The Westwood Middle School basketball teams opened their home season on Tuesday night as they split a doubleheader with Middle Tennessee Christian. In a pair of games you heard here on Thunder Radio, the Lady Rockets saw a late rally by the Lady Cougars lead to a 26 to 21 loss. The Rockets used a strong 3rd quarter blitz to tame the Cougars 40 to 33.
In the boys’ game, Westwood held MTCS to 3 points in the 3rd quarter as the swarming defense helped spark a 12 point outburst. Trenton Thompson led the Rockets in scoring as he netted 14 points, including 6 in the 3rd quarter. Cruz Pitsinos added 7 points for Westwood.
In the girls’ game, the Lady Rockets rallied from a 3rd quarter deficit to capture a brief 4 point lead late in the 3rd quarter but Westwood could only manage one free throw in the final quarter in the loss. Kasen Holt and Clarissa Barrera each had 6 points to lead Westwood in scoring.
Westwood returns to the Joel Vinson Gym on Friday night for a doubleheader with Community. Tipoff is set for 6 PM. Our next 1st National Bank Hometown Sports Series broadcast of Westwood basketball will be at Tuesday when Westwood hosts Eagleville.
To download a copy of the broadcast, and to see a copy of Thunder Radio’s upcoming middle school basketball broadcasts, visit : http://www.thunder1320.com/downloads/
CCMS 6th Grade Teams Split at West Tullahoma on Tuesday Night
Jacob Holder of CCMS basketball
The Coffee County Middle School 6th grade basketball teams fought to a spilt in a pair of games at West Tullahoma on Tuesday night. The Lady Raiders saw a scoreless second half end in a 28 to 12 defeat to the Lady Bobcats. The Red Raiders stopped the Bobcats 23 to 11 for their 4th win of the year.
After trailing at the half in the boys’ game, Coffee County held West to a pair of free throws in the 2nd half to grind out the win. The Red Raiders rebounded from a sluggish 2nd quarter to score 15 points in the second half. Dayne Crosslin led Coffee County in scoring with 9 points while Jacob Holder added 8.
After rallying to tie the girls’ game at the half at 12, the Lady Raiders went ice cold in the 2nd half in their loss. Coffee County shot 13 free throws in the 1st half but missed their only 2 attempts from the line in the 2nd half. Nikki Graham was the leading scorer for the Lady Raiders as she finished with 4 points.
The 6th grade teams return home on Thursday night for a doubleheader with White County. The girls’ game will tip off at 6 PM with the boys to follow.
Preds Unhappy With Effort in Loss to Stars
Mike Fisher scored another power-play goal for the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night, but that was the only time they found the back of the net against the Dallas Stars, falling 2-1 at Bridgestone Arena.
It’s Nashville’s second loss in a row on the young season, and a slow start against the Central Division foe tonight made it tough for the Preds to get much going throughout the contest.
“They came out strong in the first – we didn’t,” Fisher said. “I didn’t feel like we got our legs going at all. It just wasn’t a good game for us. They won most of the battles. They looked quicker. We have to be a lot better for sure.”
After a scoreless first, Dallas broke the tie when Johnny Oduya’s point shot hit the sticks of Curtis McKenzie and Adam Cracknell before finding its way past Pekka Rinne, but less than two minutes later, the Nashville power play converted.
Fisher took a Filip Forsberg feed all alone in front and slid the puck under the pillows of Kari Lehtonen for his second of the season and Nashville’s fifth power-play goal in three games.
Jason Spezza scored what proved to be the game winner at 9:15 of the third period, and the Preds were unable to capitalize with a late push to even things up.
The game’s first star, Rinne turned aside 35 Dallas shots, keeping his team in it until the final horn.
“It could’ve been over after the first,” Head Coach Peter Laviolette said. “[Rinne] was outstanding.”
“Obviously, they’re really important games,” Center Ryan Johansen said. “They’re against divisional opponents; those are must win ones. We couldn’t find a way tonight. Peks gave us a great chance to win. He was the reason why we were in the game.”
There were more questions than answers for the Preds in the third game of 2016-17, but if anything, there’s some clarity as to what didn’t work, with two days to correct it before skating in Detroit on Friday night.
“I didn’t feel like we worked hard enough tonight,” Fisher said. “We just weren’t making smart plays. Helping ourselves and supporting each other, making it easier on our linemates, we just didn’t have any of that tonight.
“We have to be better and find ways to create and bury. I don’t feel like we’re in sync right now. Definitely one of those things we have to find ways to be better.”
Cody Bass played his first game of the season, skating 6:30 of ice time and recording two hits. Bass replaced Miikka Salomaki, who will be out 6-8 weeks with an upper-body injury.
Nashville travels to Detroit to face the Red Wings on Friday night in what will be their final game at Joe Louis Arena. The Preds then return home one night later to host Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Pete Weber’s Report
Westwood Basketball Opens Season with Split at Huntland
The Westwood Middle School basketball teams opened their season on Monday on the road at Huntland. The Rockets and Lady Rockets split a pair of games as the Rockets fought to a 38 to 24 win while the girls fell by a final score of 38 to 20.
In the girls’ game, a hot shooting touch by Huntland saw the Lady Hornets race out to a 14 to 6 lead at the end of the 1st quarter as they built a lead the young Lady Rockets could not overcome. Valerie Barger was the leading scorer for Westwood as she netted 11 points. Haidyn Campbell added 3 points for Westwood in the loss.
In the boys’ contest, a strong defensive effort lifted the Rockets to a 9 point halftime cushion on their way to the conference win. Cruz Pitsinos and John Dobson each netted 9 points for Westwood to tie for high scorer honors. Wyatt Nugent added 6 points for the Rockets in the win.
Westwood returns to the Joel Vinson Gym on Tuesday night for a doubleheader with Middle Tennessee Christian. Thunder Radio will be on hand to bring you the broadcast as part of the 1st National Bank Hometown Sports Series. Tip off is set for 6 PM, Lucky Knott will bring you all the action beginning with the pregame show at 5:50.
CCMS 6th Grade Basketball Teams Sweep Harris
![Coach Jamie Morgan of the CCMS 6th Grade basketball team talks to her team during a timeout[File Photo]](http://www.thunder1320.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Jamie-Morgan.jpg)
Coach Jamie Morgan of the CCMS 6th Grade basketball team talks to her team during a timeout[File Photo]
In the girls’ game, the Lady Raiders held Harris scoreless in the first quarter to help build an 8 to 4 halftime lead. In the second half, Coffee County outscored the Eaglettes 20 to 7. Maggie Crouch was the leading scorer for the Lady Raiders as she scored 10 points. Abby Mahaffey added 6 points.
The Red Raiders used a 13 point 2nd quarter to build a 10 point lead at the intermission. Dayne Crosslin was the leading scorer for Coffee County with 13 points. Isaiah Campbell added 6 points as Coffee County is now 3 and 0 on the year.
The 6th grade teams are back in action on Tuesday night when they travel to Tullahoma to take on West. The girls’ game will tip at 6 PM.
Coffee County Youth Bass Club Tournament Results from Saturday
Megan Hartung shows off her catch following Saturday’s Coffee County Youth Bass Club tournament
The Coffee County Youth Bass Club held their 2nd club fishing tournament of the fall season on Saturday at Tims Ford Lake. The Club saw 14 club members compete for points with the goal of qualifying for the state tournament in the spring.
The duo of Colby Thurmond and Braeden Thurmond continued their hot streak as they won the event with a total catch of 6.04 pounds. Braeden also won big fish honors as he landed a 3.06 pound bass. The team of Hunter Haley and Garrett Fellers was 2nd at 5.46. Megan Hartung captured 3rd place with a string weighing in at 3.60 pounds. Hunter Sanders was 4th at 2.40 pounds and Issac Turner and Cam Rutledge came in 5th place at 1.38 pounds.
Club Standings after 2 events(includes bonus points):
1. Braeden and Colby Thurmond 14.08 pts
2. Hunter Haley and Garrett Fellers 7.46 pts
3. Megan Hartung and Dalton McGinnis 5.60 pts
4. Hunter Sanders and Brayden Majors 4.41 pts
5. Issac Turner and Cam Rutledge 3.38 pts
6. Blake Mangrum and Taylor Fletcher 3.02 pts
7. Jacob Garms and Cam Bates 2 pts
7. Hogan Scott and Tyler Shelton 2 pts
7. Shannah Frame 2 pts
10. Clayton Lowell and Colton Pruitt 1 pt
11. Blythe Petty and Madison Harryman 0 pts
Members of the Coffee County Youth Bass Club are set to attend a Tennessee Bass Trail Tournament on November 12th on Percy Priest Lake. The next club tournament will be held on November 19th at Normandy Lake.
Red Raiders Fall to Warren County in Overtime
The Red Raider offense could not establish a rhythm on Friday night as they dropped a heart breaking 13 to 7 decision to Warren County in double overtime. Managing just 5 first downs in the game, Coffee County was held to 54 yards in the first half and 167 yards in the game. The 2 teams failed to score until the 4th quarter when each added a touchdown. In the first overtime, both teams missed field goals before Coffee County fumbled the football in the 2nd overtime. Warren County was able to punch the winning touchdown in to send Coffee County to their 7th straight loss.
Offensively, Alontae Taylor rushed 14 times for 66 yards and had the lone Red Raider touchdown. Colton Prater Ran the ball 7 times for 34 yards and passed the ball 14 times with 6 completions for 42 yards. Luke Barger was named the Thunder Radio/Crazy Daisies Player of the Game.
The Red Raiders are back at home on Friday when they play host to Blackman in the annual Pink Out Game. This will be the 6th Annual Team Up to Tackle Breast Cancer event at the Coffee County home football game versus Blackman at 7 p.m. Farm Bureau Insurance is sponsoring the event that night by purchasing pink jerseys for the football team to wear during the game. All other participants of the night such as the cheerleaders, dance team members, and band members will also be sporting pink for the night. Fans are encouraged to participate by purchasing the t-shirt designed for the event. Anyone wishing to purchase a shirt can contact any Coffee County CHS FBLA member or contact the high school at 931.723.5159. Shirts are on sale now. The shirts are long-sleeved costing $15 and $18 for extended sizes. All proceeds from the shirts will be donated to the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition to assist breast cancer patients in Coffee County.