By Russell Smythia
MTN Sports Reporter
February 25, 2021
Coffee County hung on to beat Lincoln County Wednesday night to advance to the District 8-AAA Championship game.
The Red Raiders got a clutch layup with 3.1 seconds left by senior guard Hayden hullet to give them the 53-51 win over the Falcons.
The game was close from the tip, both teams going back and forth. Lincoln County led 14-10 after the first quarter. The Falcons opened the second quarter on a 6-2 run, giving them a six point advantage halfway through the quarter. The Raiders answered with their own 8-2 run. Lincoln County led 22-18 at the half.
In the third quarter Coffee County outscored Lincoln County 19-13, giving them a 37-35 lead. Midway through the fourth quarter Coffee County had a 45-42 lead. There were five lead changes in the last half of the quarter, the last one coming on the game-winner by Hullet.
“Working it inside out,” said senior Jaxon Vaughn. “We were taking too many perimeter jump shots in the first half but we started getting the ball inside and letting our offense go from there. When we score inside it allows our shooters to get open 3-pointers.”
The Raiders found a way to win while having 16 turnovers in the game, 9 more than the Falcons.
“I think it was all about composure,” said Vaughn.”We didn’t let the turnover affect us on the next possession. We moved on and made the plays we needed to in order to win.”
Coffee County out rebounded Lincoln 23-18. They shot better from the free-throw line going 8-14, while the Falcons went 6-16.
Coffee County will host Tullahoma, who upset the No.1 seed Columbia, on Friday for the District 8-AAA Championship at 8:30 p.m.
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