The last time Coffee County Lady Raiders played for a region basketball championship was 1993, the same year they won their only state title. That year, the Lady Raiders lost to White County in the region championship game. Thirty-one years later, Coffee County made history on Wednesday night in Franklin by winning the school’s only girls’ basketball region championship since five-on-five play began for girls. The Lady Raiders defeated Lincoln County 56-30 for the Region 5-AAAA title.
In 1972, Coffee County played six-on-six and defeated Tullahoma for the region championship that season.
The 1963 team was the first team to make the state tournament. There was only one classification, and in 1964, Coach L.D. Carden’s Raideretts finished 4th in the state.
The Lady Raiders held an 18-10 lead after the first quarter, extending the advantage to 35-16 at halftime. In the third quarter, Coffee County grabbed a 47-25 lead and began subbing in multiple players before finishing the game with the 26-point win. The Lady Raiders improved their overall record to 31-3.
Channah Gannon had an outstanding game as she swatted away four Lincoln County shots and scored 21 points. She was named the Dr Jay Trussler/Rooster 101.5 Player of the Game and the Region 5-AAAA tournament MVP. Oliva Vinson had 13 points in the game and was named to the all-tournament team.
Other Coffee County scorers: Natalie Barnes 10 points, Jules Ferrell 7, Audri Patton 3, and Ella Arnold 2 points.
The Lady Raiders will host Hendersonville on Saturday at 7 PM in the sectional round of the TSSAA state playoffs. The winner will advance to the State Tournament’s Final 8 next week at MTSU. Hear Saturday’s game on The Rooster 101.5, www.rooster1015.com or the Rooster 101.5 app.
