Coffee County Basketball Falls at Lawrence County on Friday Night

Cold shooting from the free throw line and hot shooting from the 3 point arc were the stories on Friday night as Coffee County fell to Lawrence County in a district basketball doubleheader in Lawrenceburg. The Lady Raiders shot 2 of 8 down the stretch at the free throw line in a 47 to 44 overtime loss to Lawrence County. The Red Raiders saw Lawrence County make eleven 3 pointers in an 87 to 78 defeat of Coffee County.

Getting off to a fast start was what the Lady Raiders needed, wanted and were able to do on Friday night to get in position to capture an upset. Coffee County used several Lady Cats turnovers to close out the 1st quarter on a 9 to 3 run and take a 7 point lead into the second quarter. Lawrence County rallied back to keep the game close before taking their first lead of the game with 4:02 left in the game at 38 to 37. After trading baskets, an Alliyah Williams steal and Bailey Morgan basket put Coffee County up 41 to 40 with 49 seconds remaining. The steal, while Lawrence County was trying to run out the clock, helped Williams earn the Crazy Daisies player of the game award. Lawrence County tied the contest at the free throw line to send the game to overtime before outscoring Coffee County 6 to 3 in the extra frame for the win. Aerial Williams led Coffee County in scoring with 14 points. Jacey Vaughn came off the bench to score 8. Alliyah Williams and Abby Morgan each finished with 7.

After spotting Coffee County an early 2 to 0 lead, the Lawrence County Wildcats hit their first six 3 point attempts as they raced out to a 7 point lead in the 1st quarter. Coffee County was able to fight back into the game, taking a short lived 1 point lead with 1:50 to go in the half only to see the Cats close out the half on a 6 to 2 run. From that point, Lawrence County never trailed again as they built a 13 point lead early in the 4th quarter. But the Red Raiders fought back in the 4th quarter led by Stephen Sullivan. The senior had 10 points in the 4th quarter to help the Raiders close the margin to 3 points. Lawrence County was able to make the plays and the free throws in the last 4 minutes to hold on for the win. Sullivan led Coffee County in scoring with 22 points as he was named the Crazy Daisies player of the game. Garrett Eldrige finished with 21 points and Grant Sadler chipped in 10.
Coffee County will close out the pre-Christmas tournament portion of their schedule on Tuesday night when they travel to Fayetteville to take on the Fayetteville Tigers. Christmas tournament action begins on Friday when the Lady Raiders travel to Hixson. Coffee County opens tournament play against Boyd Buchanan at 3 PM EST at Hixson High. The Red Raiders will host their Christmas tournament beginning on Monday, December 19th. The Red Raiders will take on Community at 7:30 PM at the Joe Frank Patch Gym.
To download the podcast of Friday’s games, go to : http://www.thunder1320.com/downloads/