LOCAL SPORTS | Lynchburg — The Moore County Raiders suffered a 54-38 loss against the Forrest Rockets on Friday in Lynchburg and played while missing several key players. Colton Bateman, Wes Clifton, Will Harder, and Peyton Martin were all unavailable for the Forrest game. Despite the loss, there was a silver lining. Several younger players –Peyton Hill (2), Brantley Hill (2), Blakely Bobo (2), and Sawyer Parks (4) – came off the bench to combine for 10 points.
Moore County’s boy’s team came into the game fresh off a 58-50 loss to the Culleoka Warrior on Tuesday in Lynchburg. The Raiders made a 17-point run in the third period including seven points from sophomore Dawson White to try and edge Culleoka but fell short in the fourth period. White led for the Raiders against Culleoka with 14 points followed by sophomore Alex Copeland with 13 points and senior Will Harder with 11 points.
Raiders battle back right before halftime
Sophomore Alex Copeland got the Raiders on the boards first with a jumper on the Raiders first possession. Points by Sawyer Parks, Copeland, and Peyton Hill tied the game at 8-8 midway through the first period. On the next possession, the Rockets fouled Dawson White and his two free throws gave the Raiders the lead. At the end of the first period, Moore County led the Rockets 14-10.
Blakely Bobo swished the first Raider points of the second period. Then, Forrest scored nine unanswered to give them a 19-16 edge. But the Raiders did not quit. Dawson White drained a trey on the next possession to tie the game at 19-19. The Raiders and the Rockets then traded baskets as halftime approached. With 20 seconds remaining in the first half, Alex Copeland swished a three point shot to pull the Raiders within two. At halftime, the score was Moore County 24, Forrest 26.
Hunter Bennett led for Forrest with 16 points followed closely by Andrew Thomas with 15.
Low scoring third period
Sawyer Parks got Moore County’s first points of the second half with a big man move in the paint on Moore County’s first possession. Alex Copeland scored the Raiders last points of the third period four possessions later. The Rockets held Moore County scoreless while mounting 10 unanswered. At the end of the third period, Moore County trailed Forrest 42-28 with Forrest outscoring the Raiders 16-4 in the third stanza. It ended up being the difference maker in the game. At the final buzzer, the score was Moore County 38, Forrest 54.
Sophomore Alex Copeland had a huge night with smart, determined play in the paint. He led with 19 points. Other Raiders getting on the board were: Dawson White (5), Will Baker (4), Sawyer Parks (4), Peyton Hill (2), Brantley Hill (2), and Blakely Bobo (2).
The Raiders will play the Lincoln County Falcons in Fayetteville on Tuesday. The LCHS boys team earned a blow out 91-49 win over Giles County on November 18 in their first game of the season. The Falcons beat the Bobcats again 73-33 in Pulaski on Friday night and lost to Franklin County 72-52 on Saturday.
The game tips off immediately following the girls action at Lincoln County High School located at 1233 Huntsville Highway in Fayetteville. You can watch the Moore County Sports Network’s live broadcast on the NFHS Network or follow The Lynchburg Times live blog of the game on our Facebook page. •
{The Lynchburg Times is the only independently owned and operated newspaper in Lynchburg, Tennessee. We cover Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}