MATT TYSON

Staff Writer

Coffee County Middle School basketball opened up its season with a home doubleheader Monday evening.

Hosting East Tullahoma, the home teams split the results, with the Lady Raiders falling 39-21 in the opening game before the Red Raiders came out with a 37-34 overtime victory to close out the action.

Red Raiders fight back, win in overtime

A close start to the boys’ game saw East Tullahoma leading 7-5 at the end of the first quarter.

Coffee County continued to keep it close through the first half’s remainder, but went into the break trailing 15-14.

Going into the fourth quarter down 29-23, the Red Raiders quickly got within two of East Tullahoma on a pair of free throws from Dixon Keele and a basket from Journey Bustamente.

Braxton Swack followed this up with the tying basket, but East Tullahoma answered with a shot of its own to take a 31-29 lead. With time of the essence, Swack once again drained the tying shot before time expired. Neither team added another before the end of regulation, sending the game to overtime.

After East Tullahoma went up by one on a free throw to start the overtime period, Swack went to the line as well and nailed a pair of baskets to put Coffee County back in front. Bustamente followed this up with a bucket of his own to put the Red Raiders up 35-32.

After an East Tullahoma basket cut the Coffee County lead to 35-34, Swack answered with another shot to put the Red Raiders back ahead by three and ultimately seal the come-from-behind victory.

Swack led Coffee County in scoring with 12 points. Bustamente followed with nine points, finishing just ahead of Keele with eight points. Justus Ferrell added five points. Sam Geddes brought in a single field goal for two points. Wade Simmons had one free throw for one point.

Lady Raiders fall behind early

Trailing 9-2 at the end of the first quarter, Coffee County’s deficit grew to double digits in the second quarter as East Tullahoma went into halftime down 19-7.

East Tullahoma continued to push ahead as the second quarter got under way, adding 12 more points while holding the Lady Raider to four points in the same span to take a 31-11 lead.

Coffee County’s offense began to find its rhythm in the fourth quarter, outscoring East Tullahoma 10-8 over its course. East Tullahoma continued to maintain a comfortable distance through the game’s remainder despite this and ultimately finished it up by 18 points.

Luann Garcia led the Lady Raider scoring effort with eight points. Millie Bustamente followed with five points, all from the free throw line. Raelynn Phillips and Aeriona Sneed both had four points each.