Category: Sports

CHS baseball coach Jon Spears talks to his team prior to Saturday’s scrimmage action

Kohl Young delivers a pitch in scrimmage action on Saturday

The Red Raider baseball team welcomed Cumberland County and Grundy County to Powers Field on Saturday for their first scrimmages of the year. First year head coach Jon Spears got outstanding pitching performances from his staff as they swept the day’s doubleheader. In the first contest, the Raiders dropped Cumberland County 3 to 1 in a seven inning varsity contest. Kohl Young threw well coming off ACL injury threw 3 strong innings while Dylan Sandoval and Jimmy Hollandsworth both were impressive in the first live action of the spring. Trace Friedlein and Daniel Gassman, who are penciled in as starters also pitched well. In the 2nd contest, the Red Raiders stung Grundy County 9 to 2 in the 7 innings of varsity work. Friedlein was credited with a big day a the plate for Coffee County while coach Spears was complimentary of how the Raiders were successful in sacrifices and situational hitting. Spears singled out Sandoval who was able to get down multiple bunts. Defensively, the Raiders committed only 3 errors in 18 innings of work. Spears is hoping to schedule another scrimmage this coming weekend, weather permitting. The Red Raiders open their regular season on March 9th at Forrest, with the home opener scheduled for March 10th vs. Huntland.

Haley Richardson of Coffee County Middle School delivers a pitch on Saturday in a scrimmage against Lincoln County

Amanda Mukai of Coffee County Middle School in action at 3rd base on Saturday in a scrimmage against Lincoln County

Coffee County Middle School softball traveled to Lynchburg on Saturday in their second weekend of scrimmage action this season.  The Lady Raiders, coached by Lana Creek, return only 2 full time starters from last season’s team.  Creek took the opportunity this week-end to work with various lineup combinations as she prepares for Monday’s regular season opener.  The Lady Raiders got strong pitching performances from Erin Ferrell, Haley Richardson and Macie Campbell as they won 2 of the 3 scrimmage contests defeating Tullahoma and Liberty, while falling to Lincoln County.   Coffee County struggled to get any offensive rhythm on the day but Coach Creek singled out Jayden Scheller who was impressive at the plate for Coffee County.  Weather permitting; the Lady Raiders will open their regular season at home on Monday as they host White County.  First pitch is at 5:00 PM at their new field behind Coffee County Middle School.

The Coffee County Central High School softball team got in their first scrimmages of the season as they travel to Mt. Juliet on Saturday.  Head coach Terry Floyd begins his 12^th season at the helm of a Lady Raider team looking for a return trip to the TSSAA Spring Fling in May.  The Lady Raiders, who have advanced to the state tournament in 2 of the past 3 years, lost only one player to graduation as Floyd takes one of his most experienced squads into the season.  On Saturday, Coffee County was able to get outside for only the 3^rd time all season and got to see several younger players in action.   The Lady Raiders will travel to Shelbyville on Saturday for a scrimmage tournament as they wrap up their preseason.  The regular season begins on Monday, March 9^th as Franklin County visits Lady Raider Field for a 7 PM game.  That game can be heard live on Thunder Radio with Lucky Knott on the call.  John St.Clair was on hand Saturday and his pictures can be found at:http://folio.johnstclairphoto.com/mtjulietplayday.

Sarah West of Westwood Middle legs out a triple on Saturday in scrimmage action at Lynchburg against Fayetteville

Hallie Wimberly of Westwood Middle delivers a pitch on Saturday in scrimmage action at Lynchburg against Fayetteville

The Lady Rocket softball team of Westwood Middle traveled to Lynchburg on Saturday to take on Fayetteville and Community in scrimmage action.  The Lady Rockets, who return 4 starters, are coached by Angela Houck.  Houck came out of the tournament impressed with how well her team played considering the limited practice time they have had due to weather.   Alexcia Barnes, Danielle Baker and Sarah West were all 4 for 4 at the plate on the day.  Pitchers Hallie Wimberley, Avery Whitsett and Carlee Sullivan all pitched for the Lady Rockets as Houck needs to replace her starting battery.  The Lady Rockets open the regular season on Monday at Moore County, weather permitting.  The first pitch is set for 5:00 PM.

Weather damage to backstop at the Coffee County Middle School baseball field. Photo by Lana Creek

The Coffee County Middle School baseball team had their Saturday scrimmage called off due to damage to their field caused by the recent ice storm.  The Red Raiders suffered damage to the backstop when ice and wind combined to damage 2 of the poles holding up the backstop netting on the 3^rd base side of the field.  The Red Raiders, coached by Rodney Meeker, are scheduled to open the season at home on Monday against White County.  The game is set to start at 5:00 PM.

The Motlow Bucks are ranked 17th in the latest NJCAA national poll and on Wednesday night the Bucks picked up a TCCAA 75-72 win over the Jackson St Generals in Jackson, TN. The victory improved Motlow men to 22-4 overall and 14-3 in the conference.
The Bucks and Lady Bucks will wrap up the regular season on Saturday in Columbia against the Chargers of Columbia St. beginning at 2pm.

The TSSAA Board of Control held a second conference call this week to deal with the ongoing weather issues.

• The DI Girls’ Sectional games will be held on Monday, March 2nd at 7:00 p.m. local time. The games were originally scheduled to be played on Saturday Feb. 28.
•  The DI Boys’ Sectional games will be held on Tuesday, March 3rd at 7:00 p.m. local time. The games were originally scheduled to be played on Monday, March 2.
•  All remaining regional tournament games may be scheduled at any time.
•  There will not be a meeting to conduct the draw for the Girls’ and Boys’ State Basketball Tournament. The Board felt both draws needed to be conducted in the same manner. Both have been conducted and posted on the TSSAA website. This is exactly the way it was done prior to going back to a live draw.

The head girls’ basketball coaches at Smyrna and Riverdale high schools have been suspended through next school year after their teams tried to lose a recent game in order to achieve better seeding in the region tournament.
Rutherford County Director of Schools Don Odom said the suspension is effective immediately and their potential for coaching after the 2015-2016 school year will be evaluated annually.
Riverdale’s Cory Barrett and Smyrna’s Shawn Middleton will also not be permitted to affiliate with either team during the 2015-2016 school year or any other athletic programs with Rutherford County Schools.
In addition, both men will not be eligible for the coach stipend pay during the 2015-2016 school year, which totals $8,393 each.
The suspensions come after their teams tried to throw the game against one another because the winner would’ve possibly been matched up against Blackman in the Region 4-AAA Tournament.
Both teams have been banned from postseason play.

Riverdale and Smyrna girls’ basketball teams have been removed from the Region 4-AAA tournament. The ruling came from the TSSAA after both teams tried to throw the district tournament consolation game.
The removal from the region tournament, in effect, ends their season. That along with the TSSAA placing both teams on restrictive probation. That means they can’t participate in the postseason this year and are on probation next year. This is the only year they’ll be removed from the playoffs.
The consolation game, won by Smyrna, 55-29, was full of intentional miscues. The loser of the game would avoid a potential region semifinal matchup with defending state and national champion Blackman. Intentional over and back violations, missed free throws and even trying to shoot at the wrong goal.
Tullahoma girls were set to take on Riverdale on Monday night. The Lady Cats won the District 8-AAA championship for the first time since 1975 on Saturday. Tullahoma receives a forfeit win and will now play in the semi-finals on Wednesday. (Source WGNS)

Motlow’s scheduled basketball games at Jackson St., were postponed Wednesday. The games have been rescheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 25. Women tip off at 5:30pm.
The Motlow men’s basketball team now 16th in the nation and the Lady Bucks were set to travel to Columbia St on Saturday. Those games are rescheduled for Feb 28. Women tip off at 2pm.

Motlow’s weekend home baseball series with Clark State has been cancelled. Bucks travel to Rome, GA on Wednesday vs. Shorter JV

The Mississippi Delta Community College Trojans swept a three game series from the Motlow Community College Bucks this weekend winning Friday’s nine inning game 6-0 before posting 6-2 and 7-0 wins in Saturday’s double header.
Next games Feb. 19 Thursday Clark State Home 1pm
Feb. 20 Friday Clark State (DH) Home 12pm
Feb. 21 Saturday Clark State (DH) Home 12pm

Softball finals. Lady Bucks sweep Gadsden State 8-3, 8-1
Next game Feb. 25 Wednesday Snead State Home 1pm

Daniel Larsen (red cap) fires off the blocks at state championship… Photo provided

Coffee County senior swimmer Daniel Larsen finished a sterling career over the weekend in Knoxville at the state championship swim meet. Larsen had his personal best this year in the 100 yard butterfly and 100 yard backstroke.  Larsen posted 2 top 40 finishes with a 57.67 in the backstroke finishing 37th overall and 56.88 in the butterfly finishing 39th overall.  Larsen holds all the CCCHS men’s swim individual records. Raider Head Coach Lana Ray said, “Getting to coach a young man with Daniel’s talent and work ethic spoils you a little; but he sets the bar so high and has been a tremendous influence on the rest of the team. Ray added, “We will truly miss his leadership next year.” “Daniel has no doubt etched his place as the best high school swimmer to come out of coffee county high school but as one of the best athletes in our schools history as well,” added assistant coach Mike Ray.

The Motlow Lady Bucks have now won four of their last six games after defeating Southwest TN, 70-58 at the Copperweld Arena on Saturday. The Lady Bucks (6-18, 4-12) were led by Lauren Brown with 20 points, followed by Chelsea Holman and Katie Leverette with 9 each.

In the men’s game the nation’s 9th ranked Salquis battled the 22nd ranked Bucks of Motlow College. The game will go in the history books as one of if not the best game ever played at Motlow. Southwest took the lead by one with 3 seconds left. Motlow threw a long pass inbounds, but D’Andrea Downey’s momentum carried him out of bounds. With just over 2 seconds all the Salquis had to do was throw the ball inbounds but Jaylen Barford stole the ball for the Bucks and was fouled. Barford who led Motlow in scoring with 28 hit two free-throws to give the Bucks the lead and a 76-75 upset win. Downey had another solid game scored 17 and Dequan Miller added 13.
Motlow has two regular season games remaining, both on the road. Wednesday they’ll play at Jackson St and Saturday at Columbia St. The Bucks won all 14 games at home this season improving Saturday to (21-4/13-3). Motlow stands in 2nd place in the TCCAA standings, 1 game behind Southwest.