While it may seem like a given, a ninth straight District 5-AAA tournament championship was not easy for Bradley Central.
The Bearettes had to survive a furious 11-0 run late keyed by Miss Basketball finalist Madison Hayes to hold on to a 52-45 victory over East Hamilton at Soddy-Daisy High School in the girls' Monday night.
"Everyone thinks when we win that is normal and expected," said Bradley sophomore point guard Jamaryn Blair, who contributed 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists. "But winning championships is never a given or easy. We play hard and fight for those."
The Lady Hurricanes had a 3-point look to tie fall just short with 53 seconds left to play as they fought back from a 15-point deficit late in the third quarter.
Blair and Kaleigh Hughes drained a pair of clutch 3-pointers in the second half, as Bradley Central improved to 27-3 overall. With a championship trophy to show for every year he has led a long-powerful program, which is home to Jim Smiddy's five state championship teams, coach Jason Reuter continues to rave about his players.
"There is no secret formula. We win championships with good players and hard work," Reuter said. "It's not one offense or defense we run. These girls work extremely hard. Playing for us is not something for someone who has a lot of side hobbies."
Despite shooting 1-of-10 from long range in the second quarter, the Bearettes locked down defensively and got after rebounds on the offensive glass to build a 31-23 halftime advantage after leading by one after the first eight minutes.
Junior guard Cambree Mayo was 3-of-4 from the field (2-of-3 on 3-pointers) and 4-of-4 on free throws to finish with 12 points. Her steal-and-go from an intense trap provided by two of her teammates at midcourt helped spark a 13-0 run in the second quarter.
When the Bearettes chose to slow the ball and run clock with a 48-34 lead in the fourth quarter, the Lady Hurricanes responded.
The determined Hayes won one-on-one matchups with strong drives to the hoop and smooth midrange jumpers. The junior star finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds and four assists despite sitting for over half of the second quarter with three fouls.
East Hamilton (20-12) cut the deficit to 48-45 on a layup by Hayes but could not find the basket the rest of the night. Bradley's Hannah Lombard and Blair iced the game away with free throws in the closing moments.
"I couldn't ask anything more out of my girls the way they fought back tonight," Lady Hurricanes coach Hunter Gremore said. "I am proud of them. They stepped up and did not back down. I told them these next two games we play in, though, we have to win."
Bradley junior post Anna Walker (tournament MVP) scored 13 points and was one of six girls to contribute to the dozen offensive rebounds the Bearettes hauled in.
"Anna played nearly the whole game and I know she had to be fatigued, but she did not want to come out," Reuter said. "Madison is one of the best players in the Southeast, but I promised our girls if we hold her under 20 points and don't let her get more than four offensive rebounds we would win tonight."
McKenna Hayes added 13 points and three 3-pointers for the Lady Hurricanes.
East Hamilton will open Region 3-AAA play at home against Rhea County on Friday, while Bradley Central will host White County.
"This district championship is sweet as any of them, but it's not our end goal," Reuter said. "This was one of the toughest ones we have won, but our girls want a lot more than a district championship this year."
Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com.