The Prep Players Spotlight is a weekly feature of the Times Free Press that highlights five area high school athletes whose performances since the previous Thursday stood out.
Raijeria Bell, Red Bank
Staff photo by C.B. Schmelter / Red Bank’s Raijeria Bell (32) shoots over Signal Mountain’s Janie Kennedy during a Times Free Press Best of Preps tourament semifinal on Jan. 3 at Chattanooga State.The athletic junior guard and her teammates, after going 1-2 against Signal Mountain during the regular season, scored payback when they won the District 6-AA girls’ basketball title Tuesday night by beating the host Lady Eagles 45-34. Bell, named the tournament’s MVP, scored 24 points in the final as Red Bank improved to 25-5.
Mason Rothwell, Bradley Central
Staff photo by Robin Rudd / Bradley Central’s Mason Rothwell takes a 3-point shot against host Cleveland on Jan 28.The junior’s clutch shooting helped the Bears end a nine-game losing streak to crosstown nemesis Cleveland in Tuesday’s District 5-AAA title game. Rothwell totaled 37 points in two tournament wins, and against Cleveland he hit the winning free throws as part of Bradley Central’s 11-for-12 success at the line. He also had two of the Bears’ nine 3-pointers.