Maria Bratcher
Jennings
Girls Basketball
The 6’2″ senior center has put the girls’ program at Jennings on the statewide map by leading the Warriors to their first Final Four appearance in the state tournament.
Bratcher was dominant inside in leading Jennings to a 42-37 victory over St. Francis Borgia in the Class 4 state quarterfinals at Hazelwood Central. Bratcher had 21 points, 12 rebounds and four blocked shots to lead the Warriors.
In her senior season, Bratcher is averaging 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks a game, but she has increased those totals during the Warriors’ run to the Final Four. In four postseason games, Bratcher is averaging 15 points, 10 rebounds and nearly five blocks a game.
Bratcher had 12 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in the Warriors’ 41-38 victory over Villa Duchesne in the sectional playoffs. In the district championship game against Rosati-Kain, Bratcher had 13 points, nine rebounds and six blocks in a 56-48 victory.
As a junior, Bratcher averaged 16.5 points, 13.6 rebounds and blocked 5.5 shots in leading Jennings to a 18-8 record and berth in the district championship game. A four-year starter, Bratcher has 1,437 points, 1,158 rebounds and 422 blocked shots during her career.
Jennings (20-8) will face Ozark in the Class 4 state semifinals on Friday at 1:45 p.m. in Columbia.
