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Bradley Central girls clinch district title despite star player’s ejection

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Bradley Central senior Kimora Fields looks for the shot as Addy Gravelle (21) and Ariyah Huffman defend for host Cleveland during a TSSAA District 5-4 game Friday night between the intracounty rivals. Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Bradley Central senior Kimora Fields looks for the shot as Addy Gravelle (21) and Ariyah Huffman defend for host Cleveland during a TSSAA District 5-4 game Friday night between the intracounty rivals.

By Patrick MacCoon February 6, 2026 7 min read

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Not too often do both teams walk away from a game feeling dejected.

A pair of rival girls’ basketball programs in Bradley County found a way Friday night.

For the Cleveland Lady Blue Raiders, a bid for their biggest win of the decade came to a painful conclusion when senior point guard Ilianis Rodriguez’s 3-point attempt for the hosts was just a bit strong and off to the left in their 57-55 loss to top-ranked Bradley Central, which wrapped up the TSSAA District 5-4A regular-season championship.

And while the Bearettes improved to 24-0 this season while extending their streak of wins to 159 in district play and 41 overall, veteran head coach Jason Reuter could not help but voice his disappointment as reigning Class 4A Miss Basketball winner Kimora Fields was ejected with 4:45 left in the fourth quarter.