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On Thursday night, the Coffee Middle Lady Raiders and Red Raiders both won in their final home game of the season.

Between games, eighth grade members of Coffee County Middle School’s cheerleading squad and basketball teams were honored.

From the Lady Raiders, Addalyn Clark, Hayleigh Harris, Isabelle Saner and Maddi Scott were recognized and from the Red Raiders were Jude Golebiewski, Jerrad Morgan, Jack Oliver, Warren Simmons and Landyn Stiefel.

To celebrate, both teams picked up a win over South Middle School.

In their bid for a perfect season, the Lady Raiders once again dominated on the defensive end in a win over the Lady Trojans.

The Lady Raiders came out flying at the start, blanking the Lady Trojans 17-0 in the opening quarter.

Coffee continued their furious pace in the second quarter, as they kept the Lady Trojans scoreless and led 29-0 at halftime.

The Lady Trojans foiled a Lady Raider shutout with a couple of buckets in the third, but Coffee County still led 42-4 heading into the third.

South would add on a few more points in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Raiders held on to win, 46-8. 

“Our defense was superb again tonight,” said Coach David Vinson. “I want to see the same consistent effort on defense and a little bit more movement on offense in these last two games of the season.”

Scoring for the Lady Raiders were Addalyn Clark and Hayleigh Harris with 11 points each, Isabelle Saner with eight points, Jenslee Nogodula with six points, Avery Pruitt and Harper Crosslin with four points each and Kendall Kesling with two points.

After the game, Coach Vinson said of his eighth graders, “They mean a whole lot to this program and to this school. Not only are they good basketball players, but they are hard workers, good students and good role models for their classmates.”

The Coffee Middle Lady Raiders are now 18-0 with two games left in the regular season.

Meanwhile, the Red Raiders were looking to get back in the win column after losing their last four games.

It would be the Red Raiders who set the pace at the start, as they led the Trojans 14-9 after the first quarter.

Momentum carried for the Red Raiders in the second quarter as they outscored South 12-8 to lead 26-17 at the half.

The Red Raiders would add to their lead in the third quarter, outscoring the Trojans 15-6 to lead 41-23 heading into the fourth, where the Red Raiders closed it out, 48-32.

“We had some up and down moments this game,” said Coach Jonathan Oliver. “We were working the ball pretty good and had some good shots, but I think we need to be a little more consistent on offense, especially against a zone defense.”

Scoring for the Red Raiders were Jerrad Morgan with 11 points, Jaxon Pruitt with 10 points, Ethan Arnold and Jude Golebiewski with eight points each, Landyn Stiefel with six points, Jack Oliver with three points, and Warren Simmons with two.

Of his eighth graders, Coach Oliver said, “They’re a good group. Of course I’m a little biased with one of them being my son, but they’re all good kids and they work hard, practice hard and always try to get better. As is the case with any eighth grade group, they’re going to leave a big void and I wish them the best when the season’s over.”

The Red Raiders are now 7-11 on the season with two games to go.

Coffee Middle School Basketball returns to action on Monday, Jan. 8 at North Middle School.