WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & SportsBradley Central girls beat Baylor for 16th straight win

CHATTANOOGA (WRCB) -- Caroline Smith scored 19 points to lead four Bradley Central players in double figures and the Bearettes beat host Baylor 63-37 on Monday night for their 16th straight win.

The Bearettes, who are ranked fifth in the state in the latest Class AAA Associated Press Prep Poll, improved to 21-1 overall.

"We've got a bunch of girls that have played together a long time," said head coach Jason Reuter. "I've got six seniors, and they're reaping the benefits of a lot of hard work. This success comes from years of playing together and knowing each other.

"If you had to sum it up, it's a veteran team that plays very unselfish."

Kayla Beavers added 12 points for Bradley Central, all on 3-pointers. Brooke Copeland finished with 11 points and Kayla Withrow chipped in 11.

The game was the first for the Bearettes without senior Taylor Neuharth, who tore her ACL in last week's win over Ooltewah and will miss the rest of the season.

"We're very fortunate to have a deep bench, but we will miss Taylor," Reuter said. "My heart goes out to her because she worked so hard to come back from a previous surgery, but now we'll have to have some other girls step up."

Smith and Copeland got the Bearettes off to a fast start, combining for 15 of Bradley Central's 17 first-quarter points. BCHS led by 11 at the break and pushed the lead to 20 in the third quarter.

Megan Ausdran led the Lady Red Raiders with 15 points. Amber Howard and MaryEllen Williams added nine points apiece.

Bradley Central will host McMinn Central (14-4) Tuesday night in a showdown of two of the area's three ranked girls programs. The Chargerettes, who are the defending Class AA state champs, are ranked fifth in the latest AA poll.

"At 21-1 I haven't had to politic for any votes. I guess people have just taken notice," Reuter said. "We definitely know who the best teams are in the state, like Riverdale, Memphis Central and Clarksville, so we're just honored to be ranked along with that group.

"The girls have had a vision the entire year, so anything less than a trip to Murfreesboro would be disappointing. Their ultimate goal is to get to the final eight and have a chance to play for the gold ball. They've worked really hard, and I don't know what the future holds, but I know that right now I'm very proud of them."

Other high school scores from Monday night:

Boys Basketball
Marion County 83, Richard Hardy Memorial 68
Walker Valley 67, Meigs County 59
Bradley Central 36, Baylor 34
Tyner 47, Notre Dame 41

Girls Basketball
Meigs County 48, Walker Valley 32
Notre Dame 45, Tyner 36