Davis comes up big for Tornadoes in win over Suwannee in tournament

Shayne Davis (foreground, center) gets airborne and draws contact on a shot attempt in the Tornadoes’ 65-46 win over Suwannee on day one of the Lake Area McDonald’s-Kiwanis of Starke Christmas Basketball Tournament on Dec. 16 at BHS. Photo by Cliff Smelley.

Telegraph Staff Writer

Shayne Davis scored 14 of his game-high 27 points during a 14-1 to open the fourth quarter as the Bradford High School boys basketball team defeated Suwannee 65-46 to conclude the evening’s action on day one of the Lake Area McDonald’s-Kiwanis of Starke Christmas Basketball Tournament on Dec. 16 at BHS.

Day one action also saw the Bradford junior varsity team lose 49-31 to Joshua Christian, Jacksonville’s Hope Christian defeat Starke’s Northside Christian 84-37 and Paxon defeat Clay 45-41.

The Tornadoes (2-0) got off to a strong start, scoring four of the game’s first five field goals. Davis’ three points in the latter part of the first quarter, which ended with Chalil Cummings scoring on a buzzer-beating layup off a pass from Hunter Crawford, helped Bradford build a nine-point lead.

Davis scored nine points in the first half as the Tornadoes took a 27-18 lead into halftime.

Despite getting six points from Crawford early in the third quarter, Bradford saw its lead begin to evaporate. The Bulldogs (2-6) closed the quarter with a 10-5 run and make it a 38-36 game.

Davis had a basket in transition and another off a turnover to put the Tornadoes up 42-36 to start the fourth quarter. After making two free throws, Davis then sank a three-pointer following a turnover to give Bradford an 11-point lead.

A Crawford steal led to the first of two consecutive baskets by Tez Williams, which put the Tornadoes ahead 54-37. Davis later added three more baskets as the Tornadoes outscored Suwannee 27-10 in the final quarter.

Crawford finished with 11 points, while Williams had seven. Keith Ardley and Amari Jones each scored five points, with Cummings adding four. Tiravez Hankerson and Robbie Simmons-Godwin each scored two points, while Jametrius Pringle chipped in one.

Cummings led the team in rebounds with seven, while Crawford, Davis and Simmons-Godwin each had five.

Cummings also had four assists and four steals, while Davis had four assists and five steals. Williams added five assists and three steals.

The Tornadoes will play Clay on day two of the tournament tonight at 8:30 p.m.

Hunter Crawford (right) is pressured as he puts up a shot. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Tez Williams (left) handles the ball beyond the arc. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Chalil Cummings looks to drive to the basket. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Robbie Simmons-Godwin (far left) pulls up for a jumper. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Amari Jones (right) fends off a Suwannee player as he handles the ball. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Shayne Davis (left) looks to dribble past his defender. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Hunter Crawford goes up for basket in the first half. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Tez Williams (far right) hangs in the air before taking a shot. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Chalil Cummings sets up for a three-point shot. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Shayne Davis (right) makes an aggressive move to the basket. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Tez Williams (far left) looks to score in transition. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Amari Jones (foreground, right) takes a shot in the first quarter. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Tez Williams (center) takes a shot between two defenders. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Robbie Simmons-Godwin (far right) hangs in the lane for a second-half field-goal attempt. Photo by Cliff Smelley.
Amari Jones pulls up for a shot attempt. Photo by Cliff Smelley.