Jaxon Vaughn got a look at the basket to tie the game at the buzzer Monday night (Feb. 1). But the senior’s 3-point basket was just short as time expired and the Central High School Red Raiders fell just short to the Pioneers, 62-59.
Vaughn appeared to draw contact during his shot, but no foul was called.
It was an impressive comeback for the Raiders nonetheless, having to fight uphill against a red hot CJ Taylor, who dropped 38 points behind eight 3-pointers for the Pioneers. Taylor scored 26 in the first half to help the Pioneers build a 40-30 halftime lead.
But Coffee County started the second half on a 12-2 run and eventually tied the game at 42-42 on a bucket from junior Connor Shemwell. The Pioneers pulled back away to take a 48-44 lead after three quarters.
CHS senior Kyle Farless pulled the Raiders to within one point at 52-51 midway through the fourth quarter and Shemwell got CHS to 56-55 with 1:35 to play, but the Raiders could never take the lead.
Trenton Scrivnor led the Raiders with 16 tough points in the paint – including another impressive dunk. Shemwell finished with 12 points, Jaxon Vaughn 10, Farless 10, CJ Anthony added 8 and Hayden Hullett 3.
The loss drops the Raiders to 9-8 overall. CHS will travel to Lawrence County for a 6 p.m. tip Friday, Feb. 5.
