COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The Bradley Central Bearettes started slowly but had no trouble overcoming Cookeville in the second half for a 48-30 semifinal win Monday night in the Region 3-AAA tournament at Cookeville High School.
Bradley will play Cumberland County on Wednesday for the region title and a host role in a sectional.
The Bearettes didn't do much on offense in the first quarter Monday as they scored six points to the Lady Cavaliers' nine. However, by the 3:40 mark in the second quarter, a 3-pointer from Rhyne Howard gave the Bearettes the lead and they never gave it back.
Bradley shut out the Lady Cavs in the second quarter, 9-0, to take a 15-9 lead into halftime.
After the intermission, the Bearettes took advantage of some poor shooting and turnovers by the Lady Cavs. Bradley won the third quarter 13-10 and outscored the home team 20-11 in the fourth.
Howard scored 17 points, Halle Hughes scored 13 and Julia Gaither added 10 for Bradley.
Cumberland County ended McMinn County's season with a 67-46 defeat. Cumberland's Lady Jets led 22-8 after a quarter and 38-26 at halftime.
No matter what the Lady Cherokees did, they could not get the Lady Jets' lead under 10 points. Cumberland outscored McMinn 15-14 in the third quarter and 14-6 in the final period.
Ending their season at 17-16, the Lady Cherokees were led by Kalen Hicks and Ebony Keller with 15 and 14 points.