CLEVELAND, Tenn. – A group of Bradley Central basketball players sat around Cleveland radio announcer Corky Whitlock Tuesday, each getting his own chance to speak. Similar to Tuesday night’s District 5-AAA championship game against Ooltewah, they were prepared when their time came.
Led by 21 points from Bryce Copeland, the Bears held on to defeat the Owls 64-58 Tuesday night at Jim Smiddy Arena, claiming their first district championship since 2007. Bradley (26-5) will host Coffee County in the first round of the Region 3-AAA tournament Saturday, while the Owls (24-4) will entertain White County.
McMinn County took third in the tournament, defeating Cleveland 60-53 behind 28 points from Cedric Nevins. Both the Cherokees and Raiders will travel Saturday to either Cookeville or Cumberland County. Quarterfinal winners will play at Cumberland County next Tuesday.
“This is just an indescribable feeling,” Bradley senior Miles Christian said. “Ever since I was a freshman, I’ve wanted a district championship. This is the best ballclub I’ve been on; we’re a family, like brothers.”
The Bears forced 19 turnovers. Leading 37-29 at halftime, they stretched it to 14 in the third quarter on a layup by Miles Morgan, then remained there after another Morgan layup to start the fourth quarter. Ooltewah battled back, though, with a 19-5 run to tie the game at 58 on a layup by Mikhail Creech.