During the regular season, the Coffee County Red Raiders and Columbia Lions split their regular season games, winning at home. The Raiders would go on to win the regular season District 9 Class 4-A championship, with the Lions finishing runner-up.
On Tuesday night at ‘The Patch’ in Manchester, the tournament championship was on the line. Coffee County was able to grab the early advantage, leading 14-11 after the first quarter. Columbia’s defense played really well the second, holding the Raiders to three points, and they took a 28-17 lead into the dressing room at the half.
The game progressed to the final quarter, but Coffee County was beginning to fight back despite some difficulties with turnovers and an off night at the free-throw line. The Raiders only managed to go 7 of 20 at the charity stripe. In the end, the Lions didn’t have a great night shooting either but pulled out the 43-40 win and the district tournament championship.
Coffee County was led by the Dr. Jay Trussler/Rooster 101.5 Player of the Game, Cayden Trail, who tallied 12 points. Cooper Reed was named to the all-tournament team as he finished with 9, and Jackson Shemwell, also named all-tournament, helped out with 7 points. Jayden Carter added 6 and Brady Wright contributed 5 points on the night.
Next up, the Red Raiders will host Franklin on Saturday at 7 PM. Rooster 101.5 will have coverage beginning at 6:50 PM. Remember the Lady Raiders play host to Independence on Friday at 7 PM, also on The Rooster. Both games are quarterfinal matchups in the Region 5 Class 4-A tournament.
