Decade of dominance: State's top-ranked Bearettes continue District 5-AAA reign

Bearettes roll to another 5-AAA tournament title

Bradley Central junior Anna Muhonen rises up above East Hamilton defenders in Monday's District 5-AAA championship game at Walker Valley High School. The Bearettes won their 10th straight district championship. / Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon
Bradley Central junior Anna Muhonen rises up above East Hamilton defenders in Monday's District 5-AAA championship game at Walker Valley High School. The Bearettes won their 10th straight district championship. / Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon

CLEVELAND, Tenn. - Bradley Central girls' basketball coach Jason Reuter has won every District 5-AAA championship since he took over the reins of the historic program.

Ten years later, Class AAA's No. 1-ranked defending state champions secured another district-title plaque with a 68-43 rout of East Hamilton at Walker Valley High School on Monday night.

"Every girl embraces and plays well in their role," Reuter said. "I have been blessed to have a lot of great assistant coaches and players. I am super proud of my girls. This plaque will go on the wall with many other ones. We will enjoy it and get back to work tomorrow."

Bradley Central has had to reinvent itself over the past month in which junior point guard Jamia Williams has assumed a key leadership role.

Williams threaded the needle on a long pass to 6-foot-2 University of Tennessee at Chattanooga signee Anna Walker for a layup that capped a 20-0 run and created a 30-5 lead with 5:25 left in the second quarter. It was one of nine assists for Williams, who also started the scoring in both halves with 3-point makes.

"This district championship really means a lot to us," Williams said. "We have worked really hard to get where we are today. We are taught to start off strong, and when we do that we can dictate the flow of the game. I know I can depend on my teammates. I don't think there is another team in the state that is stronger than us in the post."

Bearettes seniors Cambree Mayo, Alexis Barnes, Amelia Reuter and Walker never have lost a game to a district opponent in their varsity career. Over the last four district title runs they have outscored East Hamilton 274-170.

photo Bradley Central senior Anna Walker makes one of her five 3-pointers in Monday's District 5-AAA championship victory over East Hamilton. Walker was named the tournament MVP. / Staff photo by Patrick MacCoon

Walker drained five 3-pointers and finished with 24 points in the championship victory. She earned tournament MVP honors with 52 points in two blowout victories.

East Hamilton (19-12) had two key starters pick up three first-half fouls, but its McDonald's All American, Madison Hayes, erupted for 28 points in the second half and led all scorers with 31.

Bradley Central (25-3) made 10 3-pointers, and its post duo of junior Anna Muhonen and Barnes were stout again. Muhonen ended the first half with force in the paint, completing a pair of and-one opportunities to build a 31-point halftime lead that would grow to 37 in the third quarter. Muhonen finished with 16 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Meanwhile, Barnes was cash from the left baseline and scored all nine of her points in the first half while shooting 4-of-5 from the field.

"We have been working really hard every day," Barnes said. "We work as a team. We all fuel off each other. We don't talk about individual status. We just talk about getting the win. Winning another state championship is not going to be easy. It's going to be really, really hard. It's a tough route, but we are going to keep working and hopefully make it happen again."

The Bearettes will host a Region 3-AAA quarterfinal against Cookeville on Friday, while the Lady Hurricanes will host Stone Memorial.

Contact Patrick MacCoon at pmaccoon@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @PMacCoon.

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