Category: Sports

Westwood Middle School will add tennis and cross country teams to their sports program for the coming school year after the school board approved the funding on Monday. Cross country will begin competition immediately in the fall sports season according to Westwood athletic director Jeff Johnson. While no coaches have been approved to head up the teams, Johnson said that there are 2 qualified prospective coaches who will be presented to the school board for approval in the very near future. Jeff Johnson will join us on the Coffee Coaches Show on Saturday, July 12th to talk about the new sports, introduce us to the coaches and catch the listeners up on the approaching Westwood sports year.

The 14U Coffee County Red Raider summer baseball team competed in the Tennessee BPA State Baseball Tournament this weekend held in Murfreesboro and Franklin. The Raiders split their 2 Saturday contests, falling to Murfreesboro Assault 4 to 3, before beating Strikezone White by a final score of 7 to 2. In the opening game, Ryan Farless allowed only 4 hits over 6 innings taking the tough luck loss. Leading the offensive attack were Jacob Langham, who was 1 for 2 with an RBI and Jeremiah Franklin who was 1 for 3. Hunter Mann got the win over Strikezone tossing a 5 hitter with 5 strikeouts. AJ Rollman, Jacob Langham and Jeremiah Franklin all banged out 2 hits apiece in the win for the Raiders.
With their pool play performance, the Raiders finished as the 8th seed overall and headed into the championship round in the Gold Minor Championship Flight as the number 2 seed in their bracket. In the first round of the single elimination on Sunday, the Raiders got a rematch with Assault of Murfreesboro. The Raiders dropped the rematch by a final of 6 to 3. AJ Rollman, Jeremiah Franklin and Harley Hinshaw each had a hit and scored the 3 Raider runs. Jacob Langham was 2 for 3 with an RBI, but took the loss on the mound for Coffee County.

Motlow College men’s head basketball coach Matt Sligh recently announced that Houston native Clint Nwosuh will join the program and be a member of Sligh’s second Bucks basketball team in 2014-15 after transferring to Motlow during the spring 2014 semester.
Nwosuh is a 6-2 guard who sat out last season after spending his freshman year at Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss. He will be a sophomore student-athlete at Motlow and will have one season of eligibility.
After averaging 28 points per game as a senior in high school he attended God’s Academy prep school in Dallas before heading to Alcorn State.
Nwosuh has the opportunity to join returning All-American Dequon Miller in the Bucks’ backcourt, which could make them one of the best guard combinations in the nation.

Motlow College has a tradition of being among the leaders in Tennessee community colleges when it comes to student-athletes and their academic performance.
Recent Motlow graduate and softball player Lindsey Knoer from Huntland earned the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Pinnacle Award for Academic Excellence. The former Lady Bucks pitcher maintained a 4.0 grade point average during all four semesters she studied at Motlow.
While on the mound for the Lady Bucks, Knoer started 34 games during her two seasons at Motlow, and led the team’s starting pitchers in earned run average and wins last season.
Additionally, the NJCAA announced the Lady Bucks softball team on its list of 2013-2014 All-Academic Teams. The team included former Coffee County Lady Raider Chelsea Howell. The team had an overall grade-point average of 3.24.

 

The Nashville Predators have traded forwards Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
In return, the Predators have received forward James Neal.
Neal had 61 points (27g, 34a) in 59 games for Pittsburgh.
His breakout season came in 2011-2012 when he had 81 points (40g, 41a) for the Penguins.
Patric Hornqvist had 53 points (22g, 31a) in 76 games for the Predators this season.
Nick Spaling played in 71 games for the Predators and finished with 13 goals and 19 assists.
The Predators selected forward Kevin Fiala with the 11th selection in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft on Friday in Philadelphia.
The 18 year-old Fiala is known as a dynamic offensive forward.

Former Coffee County all-state running back Chris Elam who terrorized opponents when he ran the ball for the Raiders has re-joined the Coffee County football program. New Head Coach Ryan Sulkowski announced this week that he was excited to have Elam join the staff for 2014 as a running backs coach. Sulkowski said, “We just got better as a program”. Sulkowski coached against Chris when he was a RB at West Georgia and the coach was at Valdosta State.
Elam was guest on Thunder Radio’s Sports Page program with Josh Peterson on Thursday and spoke about teaching the young players. Elam talked about coaching some in middle school and college and how he hopes simplify the game for the athletes at Coffee County. The former Raider star, who wrapped up his high school career in 1997 said he is ready to hit the ground running. For those of us that remember, running is something Elam knows very well.

The 14 and Under Coffee County Raiders baseball team will be one of 21 teams competing this weekend in the BPA state tournament being held in Murfreesboro. The Raiders are coming off a lower flight championship this past weekend in the Nashville Select Academy Classic held in Antioch.
The Raiders opened tournament pool play last Friday with an 11 to 6 win over Murfreesboro Dynasty. Hunter Mann got the win for Coffee County pitching a complete game 4 hitter with 5 strikeouts.  A.J. Rollman, Jacob Langham and Jeremiah Franklin all scored 3 runs each for the Raiders.
On Saturday, the Raiders dropped a 9 to 5 decision to Strikezone Red from Nolensville. Jacob Langham was the hitting star for Coffee County as he was 2 for 3 with a double. A.J. Rollman and Cody Miller added singles.
Sunday saw the Raiders get a 4 to 0 win over the Middle Tennessee Bats of Goodlettsville which earned them a Lower Flight championship and a 2 and 1 record for the weekend. Hunter Mann and Harley Hinshaw were each 2 for 2 for Coffee County. Jacob Langham was 2 for 3 with a triple and a single and he got the win pitching a 6 inning shutout while striking out 5.
The Raiders will open play this weekend with 2 games on Saturday at Barfield Crescent Park in Murfreesboro with games at 1 and 5 PM.  The tournament will conclude on Sunday.

The MYBL announced the members of the 2014 All-Star team on Monday night at the conclusion of the post season tournament. These teams will compete in the TYBA state tournaments coming up in July. The 7-8 and 9-10 state tournament will be held on July 11 thru 13 with the 11-12 year old division taking place on July 18 thru 21. All 3 state tournaments will be played at Barfield-Crescent Park in Murfreesboro.
For the 7 & 8 year old, Coach Pitch division, 12 players were named to the All Star team. They are: Tennessee Colter, Cooper Reed, Knox Wimberly, Patrick Canning, Blake Hillis, Brayden Trail, Aiden Robertson, Eli Hobbs, Jordan Robinson, Dylen Trail, Matthew Sherrill and Cayden Trail. The Coach Pitch All Stars will be coached by Shawn Trail as manager; assisted by Keith Wimberly, Eric West and Alex Spinner.
The 9 & 10 year old division will be managed by Jason Crosslin with assistant coaches Scott Sherrill, Greg Perry and Dwane Meadows. Members of the all-star team are: Hayden Hullett, Lane Spry, Landon Crabtree, Cooper Gastineau, Phineas Rollman, Jacob Holder, Collter Strange, Jacob Sherrill, Bodey Todd, Daine Crosslin, Blake Perry, J.T. Anderson, Logan Meadows and Landon Meadows.
The 11 and 12 year old all-stars will be managed by Eric Burch with assistant coaches of Ricky Bratcher, Jimmy Hollandsworth and Robert Hullett. Selected to the all-star team were: August Burch, Skylar Bratcher, Bryson Hullett, Jake Hollandsworth, Cody Esslinger, Slade Barnes, Blanton Brown, Gage Edwards, Daniel Anderson, Hogan Scot, Isaiah Owens, Garrett Davis and Logan Dillard.

It started this week, “Dead Period” for high school athletes. Through July 7 high school athletes and coaches are not allowed to make any contact with each other in what the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association calls the dead period.
It is designed to allow all involved to take a forced break. Student athletes and coaches are dedicated to their sport and commit themselves in preparation of the upcoming season. The TSSAA wants everybody to step away, relax, and get ready for fall practice.
That begins first for golf, which officially starts on the 7th with the first match scheduled for July 21. Other sports can begin conditioning and working out as a team, although football can’t wear pads until July 28.
The 28th is also the first day of full practice for girls soccer, volleyball and cross country. Those three sports can schedule their first games on August 18.
Week 0 for football begins Thursday, August 21, although most teams will play on Friday and some have scheduled for Saturday the 23rd. Coffee County opens the season on the road at Battle Ground Academy, August 22 live on Thunder Radio.

The Manchester Youth Baseball League held their post season tournament championships, as well as closing ceremonies, for their Coach Pitch, Minor League and Major League divisions on Monday night at Fred Deadman Park. In a night dedicated to recognize regular season champions and league all-stars, the underdogs stole the spotlight.
In the Coach Pitch Division, 2nd seeded Central Funeral Home rolled up 6 runs in the first inning to upset regular season league champion Interstate Auto by a final score of 9 to 1. Knox Wimberley, Kyler Hopkins and Trevor Jesse all had 3 hits for Central Funeral Home. Interstate Auto notched their lone run in the 4th inning when Kylen Mantooth drove home Cayden Trail.
In the Minor League game, 3rd seeded Coffee Financial stopped the Cinderella run of 4th seeded Mark Lemons Construction by a final score of 12 to 6. Jacob Sherrill had 3 hits and got the win on the mound for Coffee Financial. Conner Shemwell was also 3 for 3 with 2 triples and Krish Patel was 2 for 3 at the plate and had the catch of the night on a pop foul against the dugout fence in the 1st inning. Jayden Burns had a walk and a single to lead the Mark Lemons Construction offensive attack that was held to 4 singles.
The Major League game between Jiffy Burger and Coffee County Bank featured the top 2 seeded teams and entered the 5th inning tied at 6 to 6. Second seeded Jiffy Burger banged out 10 hits in the final 2 innings to blast the regular season league champion Coffee County Bank 17 to 7. The 2 inning hit parade was highlighted by a 2 run home run from Skylar Bratcher who finished the night with 4 hits in 4 at bats. Tyler Culber was also 4 for 4 with 3 RBI for Jiffy Burger. Jake Hollandsworth was 3 for 3 for Coffee County Bank with a solo home run.

Several Local youth athletes with the All Star Track Club-“Mustangs” competed at the Hershey’s Track & Field Games State Meet Saturday, June 21st that was held at Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro. The “Mustangs” are coached by Greg Green and practice in Manchester. Congratulations to our local winners:
9-10 Girls Standing Long Jump
Caroline Jacobs– 10th Place
9-10 Girls Softball Throw

Lexi Nelson– 2nd Place
Kennedy Norman-Young– 3rd Place
9-10 Girls 50 Meter Dash
Greenlee Woods– 7th Place
Jorja Waggoner– 9th Place
9-10 Girls 100 Meter Dash
Kennedy Norman-Young– 3rd Place
9-10 Girls 200 Meter Dash
Jorja Waggoner– 6th Place
9-10 Girls 400 Meter Dash
Kennedy Norman-Young– 3rd Place
Greenlee Woods – 6th Place
9-10 Girls 4×100 Relay
Jorja Waggoner, Greenlee Woods, Kennedy-Norman Young, Liza Johnson – 3rd Place
9-10 Boys 200 Meter Dash
Jonathan Nelson– 5th Place

9-10 Boys 400 Meter Dash
Jonathan Nelson– 2nd Place
11-12 Girls Standing Long Jump
Andie Clutter– 4th Place
11-12 Girls 100 Meter Dash
Claire Bryant– 8th Place
11-12 Girls 200 Meter Dash

Andie Clutter– 4th Place
11-12 Girls 400 Meter Dash
Claire Bryant– 4th Place
11-12 Girls 800 Meter Run
Ryan Green– 3rd Place
11-12 Boys Standing Long Jump
Landon Crabtree– 5th Place

11-12 Boys 100 Meter Dash
Landon Crabtree– 4th Place
11-12 Boys 200 Meter Dash
Jackson Jacobs– 7th Place
11-12 Boys 400 Meter Dash
Landon Crabtree– 2nd Place
13-14 Boys 100 Meter Dash
Trace Bryant– 5th Place
13-14 Boys 200 Meter Dash
Trace Bryant– 3rd Place
13-14 Boys 800 Meter Run
Connor White– 1st Place State Champion
Special congratulations to :
13-14 Boys 1600 Meter Run
Connor White of Normandy– 1st Place State Champion & New Tennessee State Record – Time: 5:20.22.
The next meet is Friday, July 11 in McMinnville