MATT TYSON

Staff Writer

Coffee County Middle School basketball returned home for a pair of games against Stewarts Creek Tuesday evening.

The Lady Raiders got it started with a 31-27, come-from-behind victory. The Red Raiders led throughout the majority of the game, but fell behind in the fourth quarter in a 37-34 loss.

Coffee County returns to the road to face Warren County Monday night. The girls’ game is set to tip off at 6 p.m.

Lady Raiders take control late

Up 7-6 by the end of the first quarter, Coffee County found itself trailing Stewarts Creek 15-14 at halftime.

Stewarts Creek built up some additional space over the course of the third quarter, outscoring the Lady Raiders 10-6 to take a 25-20 lead into the fourth.

After Stewarts Creek opened the final quarter with a basket at the free throw line, Gracie Bryan went to the stripe as well and nailed both shots to make it a 26-22 game. Alexa Gilley followed with a 3-point basket to cut the Stewarts Creek lead to one.

After Stewarts Creek added another free throw to make it a two-point game, Bryan tied it at 27 apiece before Raelynn Phillips delivered the go-ahead bucket shortly after. Phillips added one more basket before time expired, allowing Coffee County to finish it out up by four points.

Bryan led the Lady Raiders’ offense with 10 points. Phillips followed with eight points. Millie Bustamante added four points, finishing just ahead of Gilley and Luann Garcia with three points each. Abby Bagley drained one basket for two points. Aeriona Sneed had one free throw for one point.

Raiders fall just short

After Stewarts Creek took the opening basket, Braxton Swack drained a 3-pointer to put Coffee County in front. The Red Raiders remained ahead through the first half’s remainder and opened the second quarter leading 9-6.

Coffee County continued to fend off Stewarts Creek as the first half continued. Tied at 9-9 early in the second quarter, Justus Ferrell hit the go-ahead basket to keep the Red Raiders in front. After Stewarts Creek tied it again at 11 apiece, Dixon Keele nailed a shot of his own to put Coffee County back up by two. The Red Raiders remained ahead from there and went into halftime up 19-15.

After Coffee County finished the third quarter with a 28-25 lead, Stewarts Creek struck first in the fourth quarter to make it to a one-point game. Sam Geddes answered with a trey to put the Red Raiders ahead 31-27, but Stewarts Creek continued to stay on their heels.

After coming back within a point as the fourth quarter continued, Stewarts Creek took control with the next basket to put Coffee County down 33-32. The Red Raiders went on to give up three more points to fall into a late 36-32 hole.

Keele was able to make it a 36-34 game in the final minute, but Stewarts Creek added one more point at the free throw line on the way to winning by three.

Keele led the Coffee County offensive effort with 12 points. Journey Bustamante followed with eight points. Ferrell added six points. Geddes and Swack each had one 3-pointer for three points each. Wade Simmons had one field goal for two points.