Sevier County Bearettes Knock Off Undefeated Three Time Defending State Champion Bradley Central, Advance to 4A State Semifinal

Story & Photos by Montana Findley

MURFREESBORO – Facing a 32-0 nationally-ranked Bradley Central team in the quarterfinal round of the Class 4A state tournament, you’d expect shocked expressions and elated celebrations from Sevier County after pulling off a 52-34 win.

Bradley Central entered the state tournament having won 49 consecutive games, and were looking for a fourth consecutive state championship.

However, coach Jonathan Shultz and the Bearettes were cool as could be as the final buzzer sounded - like they expected to pull off the upset.

“We played some really tough competition this year in preparation for this. We went to Florida and played some teams of that caliber,” Shultz said. “So, it wasn’t new for us to see that athleticism. We competed there, won there, and we felt like we could do the same thing here.”

“The last several years, (Bradley Central) has been a hallmark program at state. Whenever we saw the draw, we were excited,” he said. “We thought, if you’re going to make the championship game, why not start with the team that’s won it the last three years.”

It was the defensive effort, as well as their effort on the glass, that proved to be the difference maker for Sevier County.

Sevier County held Bradley Central to 10-46 from the field, 3-21 from behind the 3-point line.

Sevier County controlled the rebounding battle too, pulling down 36 boards to Bradley Central’s 25.

“It’s not what you coach, it’s what you emphasize. That’s been the emphasis for us all year is if we rebound, we feel like we can beat anybody,” Shultz said. “They’ve done that night in and night out, so that was our expectation.”

Kaliyah Burden led the scoring effort for Sevier County, putting up 16 points and eight rebounds. Aubree Thompson added 11 points, and Hannah Madison had 10 points and eight boards.

“We knew it was going to be a challenge. We didn’t want to come down here and lose in the first round like we did two years ago,” said Burden. “We were definitely seen as the underdog, just used that as motivation.”

In a low-scoring first quarter, it was a pair of layups from Brylee Valentine and Madison, and a midrange shot from Burden that gave Sevier County a 6-5 lead.

While Bradley Central temporarily moved in front, Maggie Townsend knocked down a shot inside to keep the score even at 8-8.

Maddie Hawkins knocked down a 3-pointer that put Sevier County in front 11-8 at the end of the first.

Sevier County held Bradley Central to just two points in the second quarter, coming from shots at the foul line.

On the offensive end, shots inside from Madison, Townsend, and Thompson helped extend the Sevier County lead.

Burden had five points in the period, including a 3-pointer to help extend Sevier County’s lead to 22-10 at the break.

“When we talked at halftime, I told the girls they’re going to come out with a different level of intensity,” Shultz said. “We thought if we out-worked them in the first half, we could out-work them in the second half. These girls, they’re willing to do whatever it takes. Hats off to them for buying into what we did.”

Townsend knocked down a 3 to open the second half, with a basket inside from Addison Brewer keeping Sevier County in front at 27-16.

Thompson had seven points in the third quarter, including a 3-pointer that grew Sevier County’s lead to 34-20 going into the fourth.

The game was never in doubt in the fourth as foul shots from Madison and Burden saw Sevier County’s lead grow to 40-20.

Madison and Burden each knocked down shots inside midway through the fourth to keep Sevier County in front at 44-25.

Forced to foul, Bradley Central sent Burden to the line several times in the final few minutes.

Burden received “M-V-P” chants from the loud Sevier County student section as she hit the final two free throws of the game, securing the 52-34 win.

“Definitely don’t miss,” Burden said with a laugh. “We had a lot of people come out, it was very special to see them all come out and support us.”

The Bearettes advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2003, where they’ll meet Blackman on Friday.