Lady raiders have had an eventful start to the season. They are currently ranked number four in the state. So far, they have only lost one game. The loss was to Blackman who was ranked fourth in the state; they beat Blackman in the following weeks during a second game against the Blazes. 

They have dominated against Columbia Academy, York institute, Lincoln county, Riverdale. The Lady raiders also swept cross town rivals, the Tullahoma Wildcats, 56 to 34.

At the Tullahoma game, former lady raider Bella Vinson’s number, 23, was retired. Vinson holds the school’s record for all time points and rebounds. She scored 2,113 points and had 862 rebounds. Vinson’s younger sister, Olivia Vinson, is now a successful member of the Lady raider basketball. 

Senior Chloe Gannon got her 1,000th career point as a raider during the Lincoln County game. Gannon describes this feeling as, “…exciting but it’s also just another day… I just gotta keep moving on in the season.”

She says this year is a little different. “We’re seniors now, so… we don’t have anyone to look up to.” Gannon has committed to Southern Indiana to continue her academic and athletic career. Like Vinson, Gannon has a successful younger sister on the team, Channah Gannon, who will have large shoes to fill following her sister’s graduation. 

Gannon offers some advice to her teammates as the season gets underway: “Just keep moving forward, always try your best, and never goof off in practice.” The lady raiders will definitely be taking her advice to keep moving forward as they continue on with many tough games ahead.  

Coach Joe Pat Cope says,“The girls are very close knit… They spend time off the court together.” Cope has been coaching the lady raiders for 6 seasons. His goal for this season is “To win our sixth straight district championship, and the ultimate goal is to make it to the state championship.”

Some upcoming include Tullahoma on December 16, Rockvale on December 17, Polk county on the 19th, and Moore county on December 22. The lady raiders also have games through the month of January and the start of February. The girls would love your support as they continue to battle for a victorious season.