LOCAL SPORTS –– The Moore County Raiderettes seem to be a team peaking at just the right time. It’s taken some time to adjust to first-year head coach Chad Spencer’s way of doing things. It’s a new coaching style, new plays, and the 12-6 Raiderettes took a little time to settle into a rhythm.
The Moore County girls’ squad have won five in a row including four holiday tournament wins over AAA Tullahoma, Huntsville, South Pittsburg, and North Jackson and a 60-54 revenge win over AA Cannon County on January 4 in Lynchburg.
It will be the first regular season game for the Raiderettes and Lady Hornets but not their first match up of the 2021-22 season. On November 23, Moore County eked out a narrow 45-41 victory over Huntland in the Whitwell Thanksgiving Tournament. The Lady Hornets led for the majority of the game but the Raiderettes rallied in the fourth period to earn the W.
Depth and experience likely made the difference in that game and it will be a factor on Tuesday as well. Moore County returned all five starters from the previous season plus got back some senior leadership. Olivia Richards returned to the starting line up after missing much of last year due to an injury. Freshman
Freshmen Ellie Graham and Katy Fletcher also add to Moore County’s starting roster. Graham led in the recent home contest against Cannon County with 24 points and Fletcher is fierce from the three point stripe.
Huntland lost three starters this season and boasts lots of sophomores on their roster. Those younger players seem to be coming into their own as a couple of them, Bailey Morris and Jocy May, have proven capable of putting up double digits points in the last several games.
One key factor in Tuesday’s game could be personnel. The Raiderettes played without Olivia Richards and Chloe Brazier on Monday in Lynchburg due to illness. There is no concrete starting five for the Raiderettes but how many of Coach Spencer’s go-to starting seven — Charlotte Ray, Olivia Richards, Ellie Graham, Chloe Brazier, Katy Fletcher, Maecy Fletcher, and Erica Clifton –– are available for the game could be anyone’s guess.
The Lady Hornets also come into the game on a three game win streak including an easy 53-31 romping of district foe Cornersville on Saturday. The Lady Hornets went on a 14-2 first period run on the Lady Bulldogs and never looked back.
The Moore County Raiderettes versus Huntland Lady Hornets game will tip off at 6 p.m. in Huntland. If you plan to attend, the school’s address is 400 Gore Street in Huntland. Those who can’t attend in person can watch the Moore County Sport Network’s student broadcasting team on the NFHS Network. The Lynchburg Times will also live blog the game on its Facebook Page. •
{The Lynchburg Times is the only locally-owned newspaper in Lynchburg and also the only woman-owned newspaper in 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.}