Bradley Central Girls Ready For State Tournament After Missing Trip to the ‘Boro Last Season

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Bradley Central girls will take a 32-0 record to the state tournament on Wednesday, along with perhaps the best player in the state in senior guard Rhyne Howard.
Howard helped the Bearettes get back to Murfreesboro this season, after they came up short on their state mission last year.

Bradley Central was plenty motivated in their sub-state game over the weekend.
They were in the same game a year ago and were upset by Stewarts Creek, keeping the Bearettes from going to Murfreesboro. Said head coach Jason Reuter: “I woke up many mornings thinking about that game. That was a reference point I use at least once a week, sometimes several times a week.”

Reporter: “How many times did you hear Coach Reuter reference that?” Said guard Rhyne Howard: “An unlimited amount of times. It was just annoying how many times he brought it up.”

Given what happened last year made Saturday’s sub-state win over Blackman even sweeter.  Said guard Hannah Lombard: “Yeah, I actually was tearing up, and I was crying. I was bawling, and I was screaming because it was amazing.”

Rhyne Howard scored 27 in the victory over the Blaze. Said Reuter: “She just had so much size on their players, and so much skill. It was like a grown woman playing against kids. No question when she got the McDonald’s snub, and didn’t get the team, she came out on a mission.” Said Howard: “More determination for sure. I’ve upped my scoring, and the rest of my aspects in order to help my team to make it to state.” Said Reuter: “I think her scoring average went up from 19 to 23. That’s hard. It’s kind’ of like raising that GPA when you’re a senior. It’s hard to move it much.”

Making state is great, but it’s not the Bearettes ultimate goal. Said Lombard: “He’s been telling us that we’re not just here to have fun, we’re here to win the championship. To bring that gold ball home.”

Bradley Central is scheduled to tip at 2:15pm est on Wednesday against Daniel Boone in the state quarterfinals.