Walker Valley Fought a Bradley Central Bear Fight
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It was a 57-48 win for Walker Valley atop Bradley Central High in McMinn County’s gym Friday night. The Mustangs (#4 seeded) mustered a 16-0 run late in the third quarter to get to a 37-30 score after trailing big at the halftime mark. For all of the flattened spots and swings in the game, this string of points proved decisive.
Heath Davis floated two successful three-pointers in during the 16-0 run. “Heath hit some timely one’s for us,” said Walker Valley Head Coach Will Campbell.
For Bradley Central Brandon Shumbera finished with 13 points.
Senior Walker Valley Mustang Cole Harbison serviceably handled the Bear pressure.
Heath Davis hit an enormous three-pointer midway through the fourth quarter to expand the game to 45-39 with 3:54 remaining.
Facing a ballooning deficit, Bradley Central wisely extended to a fullcourt press with just over three minutes to play. Harbison and Friends were required to make quick, safe decisions surrounded by the swarms.
They did.
Walker Valley (57), Bradley Central (48)
Partial Rosters (Starters*)
Bradley Central
#00 SG
Dee Reid
Dee
Reid
6'1" | PG
Bradley Central (football) | 2024
State
TN
* (2024)
#4 PG Brandon Shumbera* (2022)
#5 SF Aiden McClary* (2022)
#15 PG
Trevor Carpenter
Trevor
Carpenter
6'0" | PG
Bradley Central | 2023
State
TN
* (2023)
#22 Josh Wycoff (2022)
#23
Ramireon Taylor
Ramireon
Taylor
6'1" | SG
Bradley Central | 2025
State
TN
(2025)
#33 PF
Jackson Ary
Jackson
Ary
6'8" | PF
Bradley Central | 2024
State
TN
* (2024)
Walker Valley
#1 Hunter Duggins* (2022)
#2
Tayvon Barber
Tayvon
Barber
5'10" | PG
Walker Valley | 2023
State
TN
(2023)
#3
Peyton Ratcliff
Peyton
Ratcliff
5'10" | SG
Walker Valley | 2022
State
TN
(2022)
#4 Hobert Brabson* (2022)
#5 Kyle Parris* (2022)
#11 Heath Davis* (2022)
#12 Cole Harbison* (2022)
#14 Caleb Sausville (2024)
#15
Seth Sausville
Seth
Sausville
6'0" | SG
Walker Valley | 2022
State
TN
(2022)
#20 Spencer Jackson (2022)
#22 Cash Coates (2024)
Aiden McClary (Bradley Central) was the wrinkle, the player than altered the very predictable, ordinary makeup of both teams. The players were not ordinary, but the ’quick guy plays guard and big guy shoots around the rim’ classic positioning ruled the day, expect for McClary. The lanky wing gifted the Bears with a unique, tall and nimble weapon, typically on the perimeter.
"They punched us in the mouth in that 3rd quarter," said Bradley Central HC Carpenter on Walker Valley's 16-0 run.
— Prep Hoops Tennessee (@PrepHoopsTN) February 19, 2022
Spencer Jackson (Walker Valley) rebounded like Andre Drummond, powerfully hauling down offensive rebounds amid taller players. Often. For all the talent both teams brought off of the bench, Jackson was easily the most impactful early.
Jackson was alone early with the ferocity, but in the second half, during Walker Valley’s greatest play the, everybody rebounded with hunger and toughness.
Walker Valley scored 22 points in the paint.
Defensive rebounding emerged as the most glaring flaw in the Bear game. The team had the pieces and the athleticism, but they simply allowed too many bites of the apple.
The Youngers
Every ounce of effort is devoted to winning the next game, as it should be at this mid-February date. Unlike the coaching staffs of the two teams, we are not beholden to the win or go home model. We can look into the future a touch and consider what the two teams will look like next fall.
These players are likely to grow into larger roles as the seniors depart.
Cash Coates, Caleb Sausville, Tayvon Barber Tayvon Barber 5'10" | PG Walker Valley | 2023 State TN will be around for another season for Walker Valley High. Barber contributed in the game and throughout the season. His role will be that of starting point guard next year, and yet he is very unlikely to earn All-District. The sophomores (junior-to-be) have potential to excel, but are still not likely to outpace the Bear Class of 2024.
Bradley Central is stronger in their sophomore class for sure. Dee Reid Dee Reid 6'1" | PG Bradley Central (football) | 2024 State TN , Jarrius Rogers Jarrius Rogers 5'8" | PG Bradley Central | 2024 State TN , and Jackson Ary, if they both commit to basketball the next two seasons will be fighting for district dominance. Reid is a dual-sport athlete with more physical gifts than refined basketball skills. Still, he can defend, rebound, run the floor, and generally dash into the defense with purpose. Ary is all skill. Standing 6-foot-6, Ary already reminds of a Kevin McHale-type.
Four Teams Remain
The District Tournament semifinals are set up nicely with McMinn County (#1) pitted against Walker Valley (#5) and Cleveland (#3) looking to top Howard (#2).
Cleveland’s Blue Raiders are competing without Jasen Brooks Jasen Brooks 6'1" | PG Cleveland | 2023 State TN right now (ankle injury). Howard is a frenetic team, capable of speeding up the best. Can Head Coach Reggie Tucker’s team limit turnovers and play with efficiency?