MATT TYSON

Staff Writer

Coffee County Middle School basketball opened the week with a home doubleheader against Rockvale Tuesday evening.

The Lady Raiders got things going with a 42-31 victory to start it off. The Red Raiders were unable to follow this up in the nightcap and came up just short on the way to a 30-29 loss.

Coffee County returns to the road to take on South Thursday. Tipoff of the girls’ game is set for 6 p.m.

Lady Raiders take control in second half

After jumping out to an early 4-0 lead, Coffee County quickly fell behind as Rockvale finished the first quarter up 13-8. The Lady Raiders continued to keep it close over the course of the second quarter, but ultimately went into halftime trailing 21-16.

Coffee County followed this up by tightening Rockvale’s lead early in the third quarter, with Millie Bustamante tying it at 23-23. After Rockvale took a one-point lead at the free throw line, Bustamante followed this up with the go-ahead basket to give the Lady Raiders a 25-24 lead.

Bustamante went on to add a free throw of her own before Gracie Bryan nailed a 3-pointer to put Coffee County up 29-24 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Lady Raiders continued to maintain their lead through the game’s remainder on the way to finishing it out up by 11 points.

Bustamante, Bryan and Madison McAdams led the way with nine points each. Abby Bagley followed with five points. Raelynn Phillips added three points. Luann Garcia, Peyton Trail and Alexa Gilley were each credited with two points. Aeriona Sneed had one free throw for one point.

Red Raiders fall behind late

Trailing 5-4 at the end of the first quarter, Coffee County and Rockvale remained locked in a low-scoring contest as the first half continued.

After a basket from Wade Simmons tied the game at 8-8, Rockvale answered with the go-ahead basket to go back in front by two. Dixon Keele answered with the equalizer before halftime, sending the two teams into the break tied at 10 apiece.

The two teams continued to battle over the course of the third quarter, with Rockvale ultimately tying it late to make it a 19-19 game going into the fourth.

Rockvale went on to take control not long after, but the Red Raiders continued to stay right behind. Down by three points in the final seconds, Braxton Swack drained a shot to cut the Rockvale lead to one. Coffee County was unable to get another basket in before time expired, allowing Rockvale to escape with the win.

Swack and Journey Bustamante led the Red Raider scoring effort with eight points each. Keele followed with six points, finishing just ahead of Simmons with five points. Justus Ferrell had a single basket for two points.