COLLEGEDALE — Securing the top seeds in next week's tournament, Bradley Central closed out the District 6-4A regular season with a doubleheader sweep of East Hamilton Tuesday.
The top-ranked Bearettes (24-1, 6-0) rolled to a 71-24 blowout, while the Bears (17-8, 6-0) took the nightcap 76-51.
The Bradley girls notched their 134th consecutive win over district opponents covering the past 10 seasons and their 13th consecutive district regular season title under Coach Jason Reuter, who is now in his 14th year.
The Bears had clinched their title earlier and finished unbeaten in district play for Coach Zach Carpenter for his first title in his third-year at the helm.
Both Reuter and Carpenter were voted by their peers at the District 6-4A Coaches of the Year Wednesday.
There is still one more night of regular season action on Friday as Bradley hosts non-district foe Chattanooga Christian on "Senior Night."
Both teams will then open postseason play on their own Jim Smiddy Arena hardwood next Tuesday through Saturday.
The will tip off first with semifinals Tuesday, as Braley will tangle with No. 4-Howard (4-14, 0-6) at 6 p.m., with East Hamilton (19-11, 4-2) and third-seeded Ooltewah (13-10, 2-4) at 7:30.
The girls championship and third-place games will be played on Friday, Feb. 16.
The boys event will start Wednesday with the Bears opening at 6 against fourth-seeded Ooltewah (3-18, 0-6), with second-seed East Ham (5-19, 3-3) tangling with No. 3 Howard (9-13, 3-3) in the nightcap.
The boys championship and third-place games will be held on Saturday, Feb. 17.
BEARETTES 71
LADY HURRICANES 24
Bradley has East Hamilton (19-11, 4-2) 29 times since the 2010-11 season, coming out victorious in each game.
Tuesday’s game was more of the same as the Bearettes opened with a quick 7-2 lead less than two minutes into the game, forcing an the hosts to call a timeout.
The slim lead ballooned to 20-7 after the first quarter and a 21-5 run for the Bearettes showed a 41-12 advantage at the half. The visitors finished off the one-sided affair with a 30-12 second half edge.
“We just had two tough games (Cleveland and top-ranked McMinn Central) and maybe were a little lackadaisical after we got the big lead,” Coach Reuter noted after the game.
“It’s hard to keep the kids motivated sometimes, but that’s my job as coach. We got to play everyone tonight and we’re looking forward to 'Senior Night' on Friday. Everyone who came in gave us a great effort.”
The Bearettes connected on 24-of-41 shots for 58%, with five makes from distance, while sinking 10-of-13 free throws.
Sophomore Ms. Tennessee Basketball nominee Kimora Fields led four Bearettes in double figures with 26 points. The 2023 TSSAA State Tournament MVP was named the District 6 Player of the Week Wednesday.
All-District juniors Harmonie Ware and Tatianna Stovall chipped in with 18 and 11 respectively, while sophomore Addie Geren netted 10.
“The offense is sometimes limited with a 'running clock,' but it was a solid win and we’ll take it,” Reuter concluded.
Bearette juniors Malia Wilcox and Avary Brewer were also voted by the coaches to the All-District squad.
BEARS 76
HURRICANES 51
Like the first game, Bradley jumped to a early 7-0 lead and the Hurricanes (5-19, 3-3), who were never able to pull even although they never gave up.
After a 25-15 Bear lead after the first quarter, East Ham was able to trim the difference to just 29-27, forcing Coach Carpenter to call a timeout at 3:33 in the first half.
Something awakened in the Bears at that point and they closed out the half with a 9-2 run to make it 38-29 at the buzzer.
The Bear juggernaut didn’t let the halftime break slow them down as they opened the third quarter with six quick points, including two steals with breakaway slams by 6-foot-7 junior Tyrese Stovall and senior Jackson Ary, that fired up the visitors and drove the Hurricanes to call time with just 42 seconds elapsed in the second half.
Bradley continued to roll, outscoring their hosts by 22-14 in the third period to put the game out of reach at 60-43, before holding the Hurricanes to just eight points in the fourth period while adding 14 more for the 76-51 final.
Voted as the District 6 Player of the Years, Stovall paced the Bears with 22 points, with All-District performers Ary and junior Ramerion Taylor both scoring 19 apiece.
Bear seniors Dee Reid and Jarrius Rogers were also named to the All-District squad.
“We were having fun. I told my guys to run and run hard without let up. Our big guys dominated tonight. 'Ram(erion)' was hot and Jackson has really come around in the last couple of games,” said Carpenter after the game.
“And what can you say about Tyrese. He is having fun and clearing the backboards with help from his teammates.”
