B

The 2026 slate for Coffee County Middle School girls’ basketball got started in thrilling fashion Monday night.

Traveling to Smyrna to take on Stewarts Creek, the Lady Raiders held off a resilient effort from the Lady Red Hawks to return home with a 35-32 overtime victory.

Coffee County took control early on, finishing the first quarter up 6-5 before building a 24-8 lead by halftime. This offensive momentum stalled out in the second half, with the Lady Raiders coming away with two points each across both the third and fourth quarters.

Stewarts Creek took advantage of Coffee County’s second half scoring struggles, putting up 12 points in the third quarter and eight points in the fourth quarter to tie it up at 28-28 at the end of regulation.

The Lady Raiders began to find their rhythm once again in overtime, outscoring the Lady Red Hawks 7-4 to secure the win.

Brooklyn Carlton led the Coffee County offense with 11 points. Up next was Abbey Williams with eight points. Kealey Branch and Gracie Bryan followed with five points each, finishing just ahead of Brinley Frederik with four points. Daisy Kapise had a single basket for two points.

Coffee County returns home for a district doubleheader against Upperman Thursday evening. Tip-off of the girls’ game is set for 6 p.m.