By Tabitha Evans Moore | EDITOR & PUBLISHER

HUNTLAND, Tenn. — They managed a narrow four-point lead at halftime and came out in the second half swinging. On Friday, the Moore County Raiders earned a decisive double digit win over the Huntland Hornets, 53-42.

The win swept the 2024-25 Huntland series headed into postseason play this week. The Class 1A Boys Basketball District 9A Tournament begins on Wednesday at Huntland High School. Undefeated Eagleville will come in as the top team followed by Moore County and Fayetteville, who currently sit tied for second place.

{Editor’s Note: This year’s Raiders basketball coverage is free to all readers thanks to our community partner, Woodard’s Market.}

The Raiders got off to a slow start on Friday. Brantley Hill, Tristyn Gray, and Peyton Martin each put up a basket each to end the first period – trailing by four. Colton Morey and Gray then got hot in the second – combining for nine of the Raiders 13 second period points to help Moore County pull ahead by four at the break, 19-15.

An uncharacteristically quiet Gavin Wise got hot in the third period and put up five of Moore County’s 15 points. Big man Peyton Martin came out strong in the second half – putting 12 points. The Raiders battled to earn a nine-point third period lead and held on down the stretch for the 53-42 win despite Huntland scoring all but four of their second period points from the perimeter.

Martin led with 16 points

Peyton Martin led Moore County with 16 points. Grant Jernigan led for Huntland with 23 points. Other contributing Raiders were Colton Morey and Gavin Wise with eight points each. Brantley Hill swished 7. Jay Sparkman and Tristyn Gray added six each and Tucker Smith scored a basket for two points.

Moore County earned 38 from the floor and just six from the perimeter – one from Morey and second from Martin. They were a not-great nine of 26 from the line (35 percent). For comparison, Huntland earned 14 from the floor and another 24 from the perimeter. Moore County played a disciplined defensive game – sending the Hornet to the line just three times. They made four or six (67 percent).

Postseason play kicks off on Wednesday at Huntland High School. Number three seed Moore County will take on number two seed Fayetteville at 7:30 p.m. Number one seed Eagleville and number four seed Huntland will play at 6 p.m. Both the championship game and consolation game will be played on Friday, February 21.•

{The Lynchburg Times is a locally owned and locally operated community newspaper in Lynchburg, Tennessee. We’re the only newspaper that publishes new stories every morning as well as breaking news as it happens. We’re also one of the few women-owned newspapers in the state. We’re supported by both readers and community partners who believe in independent journalism for the common good. You can support us by clicking here. }