As 2018 draws to a close, Thunder Radio Sports looks back at some of the highlights of the calendar year for each of the more than 40 prep teams we follow and report on. Today we look back at the year for the girls’ basketball squads at Coffee County CHS and Coffee County Middle and Westwood Middle.
The Westwood Lady Rockets got a thrilling overtime win over Forrest in November in a game we brought to you on Thunder Radio. Maddie Sullivan hit a pair of free throws with no time on the clock to send the game to overtime. Thunder Radio brought you a recap of the win in a story we published on November 6th.
Maddie Sullivan of Westwood basketball
The Westwood basketball teams welcomed Forrest to the Joel Vinson Gym on Monday night. In a pair of games that you heard here on our Thunder Radio app, the Rocket teams fought to a split on the night. The Lady Rockets won 32 to 27 in overtime while the Rockets lost 44 to 24.
In the girls’ game, Maddie Sullivan hit 2 free throws with no time on the clock to send the game to overtime. Anna Johnson finished the game with 18 points, including 9 in the 4th quarter and overtime. Allie Sullivan added 5 points while Leonor Moreno and Maddie Sullivan each had 4 points. Johnson and Maddie Sullivan were named the Crazy Daisies co-players of the game.
Turnovers doomed the Rockets as Forrest rolled to the conference win over Westwood. After playing Forrest tight in the 1st quarter, Forrest pulled away in the final 3 quarters. Westwood trailed by 1 point entering the 2nd quarter only to be outscored 24 to 7 in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Brayden Dixon led Westwood in scoring with 5 points. Caiden Warren added 4 points off the bench to be named the Crazy Daisies player of the game.
Westwood hits the road on Thursday night when they travel to Murfreesboro to tangle with the Cougars of Middle Tennessee Christian. Lucky Knott will be on hand to bring you the broadcast as part of the 1st National Bank Hometown Sports Series. The girls’ game will tip off at 6 PM, the pregame show will begin at 5:50 here on Thunder.
Download the broadcast at: http://www.thunder1320.com/downloads/
The Lady Raiders of Coffee County Middle School captured their 3rd conference title in 4 years in January as they beat North Franklin in the finals. Thunder Radio brought you the championship recap in a story we published on January 29th.
CTC champion Lady Raiders of Coffee County Middle School. [Photo by Demarco Moore – Manchester Times]
The Lady Raiders jumped out to a 16 to 4 lead in the 1st quarter to effectively take North out of contention early. The Lady Raider defense was able to force the Lady Gators into turnovers as they built the lead to 13 at the half and 16 entering the 4th quarter. The Lady Raiders were 13 of 16 at the free throw line to hold off a late charge by North to run their record to 19 and 3 on the year.
Marley Perry poured in 33 points on the night in perhaps the most incredible performance of her career. Kiya Ferrell added 9 points while Aly Harris finished with 5 points and Alyssa McClanahan and Alivia Reel each chipped in 4 points. Following the tournament, Perry, Ferrell, Harris and McClanahan were named to the All-Conference team. For the Red Raiders, Connor Shemwell and Aiden Abellana also were selected for the All-Conference team.
Both Raider teams will now advance to the sub-sectional on Monday night. The Lady Raiders will host Whitworth-Buchanan at 5 PM. The Red Raiders travel to LaVergne Middle for a 5 PM game. Monday night’s winners will advance to the TMSAA state sectional tournament to be held in Shelbyville later this week.
The Coffee County Lady Raiders captured the regular season District 8 title last February on Senior Night. This was the first district title for Lady Raider basketball since 1996. Thunder Radio brought you the broadcast and gave you a recap in a story we published on February 9th.
The Coffee County Lady Raiders celebrate with Coach Joe Pat Cope following the win as they sewed up the 1st regular season district title since 1996. [Photo provided by Amy Morgan]
The Lady Raiders played another close, nail-biter with the Eaglettes. After a series of scoring runs by each team in the first half, Coffee County took a 4 point lead into the dressing room at halftime. The Lady Raiders built the lead to 8 points with 2 minutes left in the 3rd period only to see Shelbyville rally to take a 2 point lead with 3 minutes left in the game. The Lady Raiders cranked up the defense and captured the 2 point lead with 20 seconds left on a basket from Alliyah Williams. Williams also got a steal with 3 seconds remaining to seal the win.
Williams, a senior, finished with 14 points leading the Lady Raiders as she earned the Crazy Daisies player of the game. The Lady Raiders improved to 23 and 2 overall and 10 and 1 in district play.
The Red Raiders got off to another lightning fast start as they opened up a 16 to 3 lead in the first quarter. Coffee County pushed that lead to 23 at the half and 30 in the 4th quarter before substituting out the seniors to a thunderous ovation.
Garrett Booth led the Raiders in scoring with 21 points including four 3 pointers to earn the Crazy Daisies player of the game honor. De’Aaron Rozier had 14 points and Grey Riddle had 9 points as 9 different Red Raiders scored on the night.
Coffee County will hit the road on Saturday night as they travel to Winchester to take on Franklin County in the regular season finale. The Red Raiders will need a win to sew up 3rd place in the district and an automatic region berth. The girls’ game will tip off at 6 PM. Thunder Radio begins live coverage with the Char-El Apartments and Home Rental Pregame Show at 5:50.
Download the broadcast of the games at: http://www.thunder1320.com/downloads/
