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The Class 4A District 6 portion of Coffee County basketball’s schedule got under way Friday night.

Making the trip over to Shelbyville, the Lady Raiders and Red Raiders split the doubleheader, with the girls completing a late-game comeback to win 57-54 before the boys fell 59-47 in the nightcap.

Coffee County resumes district play at home against Warren County Tuesday evening. Tip-off of the girls’ game is set for 6 p.m.

Lady Raiders take control late

Coffee County girls’ basketball came into Friday’s game at Shelbyville down a pair of starters, having both Natalie Barnes and Jaydee Nogodula temporarily sidelined.

Despite not being at full strength, the Lady Raiders returned home with a win, battling back late in the fourth quarter to open their district slate with a win.

“We just told the girls to emphasize you gotta come out and make district play so important. You’ve gotta go on the road and get one (Friday) night. We’ve gotta steal one Tuesday night against Warren County and then hopefully get Natalie and Jaydee back and get back to our full strength,” Coffee County coach Joe Pat Cope said. “These girls were down 10 with five minutes to go and you’ve got two or three people out there who hadn’t started and they just did a remarkable job of handling the pressure and finishing.”

Tied up at 15-15 after one quarter of play, the Golden Eaglettes took control early in the second quarter and went into halftime leading Coffee County 26-21. The Lady Raiders continued to keep it close as the second half got under way, but finished the third quarter trailing 39-36.

Shelbyville got off to a quick start as the fourth quarter began, starting it off with seven unanswered points to put Coffee County in a 46-36 hole. The Lady Raiders began to cut back into it from there, kicking off a 14-4 run to tie the game at 50-50.

After Shelbyville retook the lead on a 3-pointer, Jenslee Nogodula went to the free throw line and sank a pair of shots to make it a one-point game. Hayleigh Harris followed with a 3-pointer of her own to put Coffee County up 55-53. The Golden Eaglettes were able to cut the Lady Raider lead to one point at the free throw line, but Jenslee Nogodula followed with two more free throw baskets to help secure the come-from-behind victory.

“I just think it was our emotion, getting our three-point shooters open and open shots,” Jenslee Nogodula said of what helped secure the win. “Having two starters out right now and injured, a win is a good start for districts.”

Kaysen Morgan led the way on offense with seven treys for 21 points. Harris followed with 14 points. Audri Patton added 10 points. Up next was Jenslee Nogodula with eight points. Lilly Matherne and Morgen Spears both had two points each.

Raiders fall to Golden Eagles

The Coffee County boys’ basketball team was unable to complete the sweep in the second game of Friday night’s district doubleheader, falling behind early on the way to the loss.

Down 15-5 after the first quarter, the Red Raiders went into halftime trailing 28-15. Coffee County remained behind by double digits as the second half began, finishing the third quarter down 42-28.

The Red Raiders were able to cut back into the Golden Eagle lead early in the fourth quarter, starting things off with a six-point scoring run to make it an 8-point game. Shelbyville did not let Coffee County get any closer, ultimately finishing the game ahead by 12.

Kaysen Lowery led the Red Raider offensive effort with 16 points. MJ Rollman followed with 11 points, finishing just ahead of Audie Nicoll with 10 points. Jerrad Morgan came away with six points. Luke Campbell and Levi Rollman both had two points each.

CHS splits with Franklin County

Coffee County’s basketball teams were back in action Saturday afternoon, welcoming Franklin County to Joe Frank Patch Gymnasium.

The two teams once again split the doubleheader, but this time it was the Lady Raiders who came out on the losing end, 59-43, while the Red Raiders picked up a 57-50 victory.

Saturday’s results put Coffee County’s season records at 16-3 for the Lady Raiders and 10-8 for the Red Raiders.