MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — It’s didn’t end the way they wanted. On Wednesday, in a TSSAA Class 1A Elite Eight game, the Moore County Raiderettes fell to Coalfield 54-41 – ending their season and their dream of bringing the gold ball home to Lynchburg.
Every team experience that one game where nothing seems to go right. Unfortunately, for the Raiderettes, that game happened in the Class 1A Elite Eight game. Moore County shot just seven of 25 (28 percent) from the field, two of seven (28 percent) from the perimeter, and two of six (33 percent) from the line in the first half – and it didn’t get better in the second half.
Raiderettes and Yellow Jacket tie in the first period
Moore County got the tip but missed on a long three. Coalfield couldn’t do anything with the opportunity, then Ally Sharpe got a layup to put Moore County on the board. Coalfield’s Lily Wright immediately answered to tie the game, 2-2.
Sharpe went back inside on the next play for two to remain the lead and Ellie Graham extended it with one from the line a few plays later to make it 5-2.
The two teams traded turnovers, then Coalfield’s Lexi Hammock stole the ball and made a layup to cut the lead to one, 5-4. The Yellow Jackets then went on a five-point run with a trey by Mattie Beard and a basket by McKinlee West to gain the lead, 8-5.
With 1:31 to play in the first, Emma Dye swished a basket to cut the lead back to one, 8-7. Coalfield’s Lilly-Claire Lowe answered, 10-7.With less than a minute to play, Graham – who wore a face guard following a broken nose in the McEwen game – fought inside for two points, 10-9. Coalfield’s Lily Wright answered, 12-9, then Anna Harder swished a trey with just a few seconds remaining to tie the game, 12-12.
Moore County got up by three early in the second period thanks to a trey by Fletcher and left side layup from Sharpe. Then Beard earned it back with a trey with 3:21 to play in the second as Coalfield slowly pulled away. They outscored Moore County by five in the second and seven in the third to earn a 44-32 lead heading into the final eight minutes.
At the final buzzer, Moore County fell to Coalfield 54-41.
Graham led with 13 points
Ellie Graham led with 13 points followed by Emma Sazonov with nine. The senior came of the bench and gave Moore County a spark in the third. Other contributing Raiderettes were Ally Sharpe (6), Katy Fletcher (6), Emma Dye (4), and Anna Harder (3).
Though they ended they post-season much earlier than they anticipated, the 2024-25 Raiderettes still have much to be proud of. This year’s seniors are the three time District 9A Champs, and the repeat Region 5A Champs. This was their second consecutive trip to MTSU to play in the state championship. They earned Class 1A Runner Up in the 2023-24 season.
The Raiderettes graduate eight seniors this year, Katy Fletcher, Emma Sazonov, Ellie Graham, Audrey Harder, Anna Harder, Hannah Martin, Madison Dingler, and Emily Burks. Moore County is coached by Chad Spencer. •
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