The Trojans lost miserably 52-21, but the team got the message.

Last night, Milwaukee Bradley Tech (1-4, 4-5) won their first City Conference game in two years with a 61-18 victory over Milwaukee Bay View (0-4, 2-8).  

“Either we’re really on or we’re really off,” said Cunningham about the one-sided scores.

Bradley Tech led from the get-go, scoring double digits in every quarter and holding a 26-point lead at the half, 32-6.

 “We have spurts where we’re really catching the ball well, holding a good triple threat, and running and jabbing. Even if we’re not yet consistent, it’s happening,” she said.

Junior guard Shana Lee led all scores with 26 points, including three of the team’s five 3-pointers.

“I’m really happy we won,” said Lee. “We’ve had a lot of downfalls early this season but we’re turning it around.”

Freshman Krystal Johnson, who was recently brought up to varsity, turned in a key performance locking down her assignment on defense and chipping in five points.

Cunningham also praised the play of freshman center Rashawnda Rogers. “She gets all the rebounds and blocked shots and she’s averaging about eight points a game.”

Rogers stepped up Thursday night and finished in double digits with 11 points.

“This win really is a boost for the team’s morale,” said Cunningham. “It lets them know their hard work is beginning to pay off.”

TROJANS WORK THROUGH STRESS OF SEASON…

Over the past few weeks Cunningham has seen a waning performance from her team.

“They know I’m tough on them in practice, but for all their practice and commitment they were 0 and 4 in conference play.”

This is the first season Cunningham is at the helm for the Bradley Tech girls team; succeeding long-time coach Ken Williams.

Cunningham enters with a strong reputation for winning and demanding respect. That’s something new for a program that finished 1-20 and in last place in the Milwaukee City Conference in 2009.

In an effort to regroup, Cunningham dove into her back of coaching tricks.

“I really, really tightened up this past week and benched just about every starter against Riverside,” she said.

The team reaction was evident. “I knew they thought this wouldn’t happen. They (the team) really thought I wouldn’t let Riverside pound us.”

Cunningham stuck to her guns and played a squad of six the entire night. Although the Trojans dropped their fourth game in a row, the strategy worked.

“What a better way to teach a lesson before a winnable game,” she said.

IT’S NOT THE WIN-LOSS RECORD… IT’S THE RESPECT…

Coach Cunningham has a solid commitment to family, fundamentals and building a foundation of respect.

She deems the latest challenges are “growing pains” but Cunningham remains steadfast to her beliefs demanding responses of ‘yes Ma’am’ and ‘yes Sir’ and dressing in uniform of tan pants and white shirts on game day.   

“I had a no-ball practice the day before we played Bay View because one of the player’s disrespected a security guard and I have to teach these girls to be young ladies.

“In order to do that the whole team had to be punished; I don’t anticipate them disrespecting any more security,” she said.

Speaking for the team, Lee said the coach’s message is definitely sinking in. “I love her strategy,” she said. “Sometimes we have disagreements, but I know she’s doing the best for the team.

“For her to sit us down against Riverside, we were mad but at the same time we knew it was our fault.”

Lee said Cunningham has proven success with her teams in the past, and she feels honored her peers at Bradley Tech are being given a chance.

“She had teams that went up state and we know she’s the real deal. The love and support she gives us is evident and we know if we keep trying she’ll help us get to the next level.”

Bradley Tech has their work cut out for themselves as the Trojans hosts defending state champion Milwaukee Vincent (4-0, 9-0) on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m.