Coming off one of the best seasons in school history, Bradley Central has had two more girls' basketball players sign scholarships. Post Monica Hammond is headed to Truett-McConnell in Cleveland, Ga., while Taylor Neuharth will continue her career at Bryan College in Dayton, Tenn.
Former Bearettes point guard Keila Formont previously signed with Bryan, and wings Caroline Smith and Kayla Beavers will play for Lee University. The Bearettes won 32 games and advanced to the Class AAA sectional.
The 5-foot-11 Hammond often was overshadowed by sophomores Brooke Copeland and Rebecca Reuter but caught the eye of Truett-McConnell coach Matt Sanders.
"She's the epitome of a team player and fits the mold of our school," Sanders said. "She does the intangible things, and I have to have that. I've seen her play eight to 10 times and have seen her shoot maybe five times, but she's tough and battles hard.
"It helps that she comes from a great program; she's a winner."
Neuharth spent most of her senior season hurt. Having torn her ACL last March, she suffered the same injury to the same knee in a game against Ooltewah in January. She spent her junior season at Walker Valley and was the Lady Mustangs' second-leading scorer and made the All-District 5-AAA team.
The 5-foot-7 guard was averaging six points per contest and shooting 43 percent from 3-point range at the time of the second injury.
"She was just starting to get in shape and hit her stride again," Bradley coach Jason Reuter said. "If she had never been injured, she would have had offers, but some coaches backed off because of that and I understand. I told [Bryan coach Jason] Smith that they got a huge steal with her.
"I appreciate Bryan giving her a chance. Her misfortune is Bryan's fortune."