Bradley Central girls beat Oakland, head back to state tournament [photos]

Bradley Central's Anna Roberts stretches her arms out as she defends against Oakland's Faith Adams during a TSSAA sectional on Saturday night in Cleveland, Tenn. Bradley Central's Anna Roberts stretches her arms out as she defends against Oakland's Faith Adams during a TSSAA sectional on Saturday night in Cleveland, Tenn.

By Patrick MacCoon March 3, 2019 4 min read

Photo Gallery

Bradley Central girls basketball vs. Oakland

Bradley's Jamaryn Blair (33) scores on a layup. The Bradley Central Bearettes hosted the Oakland Lady Patriots in a TSSAA sectional game on March 2, 2019.

Bradley's Alexis Barnes (34) passes near the three-point line. The Bradley Central Bearettes hosted the Oakland Lady Patriots in a TSSAA sectional game on March 2, 2019.

Bradley head coach Jason Rueter questions a official's call. The Bradley Central Bearettes hosted the Oakland Lady Patriots in a TSSAA sectional game on March 2, 2019.

Bradley's Anna Walker (42) scores from inside the paint. The Bradley Central Bearettes hosted the Oakland Lady Patriots in a TSSAA sectional game on March 2, 2019.

Bradley Central's Anna Walker scores during a Class AAA sectional against Murfreesboro's Oakland on Saturday night in Cleveland, Tenn. Walker scored 18 points and blocked four shots to lead the Bearettes to a 43-37 win that secured a spot at this week's state tournament.

Bradley's Jamaryn Blair (33) dribbles pursued by Oakland's Claira McGowan (11). The Bradley Central Bearettes hosted the Oakland Lady Patriots in a TSSAA sectional game on March 2, 2019.

Bradley's Jamaryn Blair (33) dribbles toward the basket while Oakland's Claira McGowan (11) defends. The Bradley Central Bearettes hosted the Oakland Lady Patriots in a TSSAA sectional game on March 2, 2019.

Bradley's Kaleigh Hughes (1) shoots from three-point ranch. The Bradley Central Bearettes hosted the Oakland Lady Patriots in a TSSAA sectional game on March 2, 2019.

Bradley's Hannah Lombard (45) drives past Oakland's Nicole Egeruoh (42). The Bradley Central Bearettes hosted the Oakland Lady Patriots in a TSSAA sectional game on March 2, 2019.

Bradley's Cambree Mayo (21) plays tight defense against Oakland's Faith Adams (2). The Bradley Central Bearettes hosted the Oakland Lady Patriots in a TSSAA sectional game on March 2, 2019.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – The Bradley Central girls’ basketball program keeps living up to its legacy.

Although the Bearettes graduated just one player from last year’s team that reached the Class AAA state semifinals, it was a significant loss, with 2018 Tennessee Gatorade player of the year and Miss Basketball winner Rhyne Howard now a standout freshman at Kentucky.

If an outstanding regular season or last weekend’s region championship wasn’t enough to convince them plenty of talent remains, Bradley junior Anna Walker responded to any remaining doubters Saturday night, scoring a game-high 18 points and blocking four shots to lead her team to a 43-37 sectional victory over Murfreesboro’s Oakland at Jim Smiddy Arena.

With the win, the Bearettes (31-3) secured a spot as one of the final eight teams for the AAA state tournament, which starts Wednesday at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro.

“Making it to state is always one of our main goals,” said Walker, who has committed to Samford. “But we are not going up there just to have fun. We want to win it all.