Holli Smithson of CHS Basketball(Photo by Jay Bailey – Manchester Times)
A loud and passionate crowd at the Joe Frank Patch Gym saw the Lady Raiders and Raiders of Coffee County get a doubleheader sweep on Tuesday in high school basketball over Grundy County. The Lady Raiders raced out to a 12 point halftime lead before dispatching the Lady Jackets 69 to 50. The two teams combined for 50 free throw attempts on the night as the whistle became the theme music for the evening. Despite the numerous foul calls, Coffee County dominated the play in the paint as the Williams sisters combined for 29 points. Alliyah Williams led the Lady Raiders in scoring with 16 points and was named the Gateway Tire & Service Center player of the game. Aerial Williams finished with a hard fought 13 points. Holli Smithson chipped in 12 as Coffee County won their 3rd straight game to improve to 3 and 1 on the year.
Wyatt Day
In the boys’ game, eight different lead changes in the first half set up a grueling second half as the Red Raiders won 64 to 57. After trailing by 5 at intermission, Grundy County tied the score at 38 with 5 minutes left in the 3rd period. From that point, the Raiders built a double digit lead down the stretch in another “whistle stop” contest that saw the officials eject the entire Coffee County student section. Wyatt Day had 13 points in the first quarter and finished with 19 on the night to be named the Gateway Tire & Service Center player of the game. Kohl Young finished with 13 points and Grant Sadler netted 10 as Coffee County improved to 3 and 2 on the year.
Coffee County opens district play on Friday night when they travel to Shelbyville to take on the Eaglettes and Eagles. Tipoff is set for 6 PM and Thunder Radio will bring you all the action, beginning with the Char-El Apartments pregame show at 5:50.
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