BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Steven Carter had 10 points in the second quarter to help the Bradford High School boys basketball team build a double-digit lead in what was a 52-40 win over District 3-3A opponent Palatka on Jan. 30 in Starke.
The Tornadoes needed a late rally to beat the Panthers 65-64 on their home court on Jan. 14, but Bradford led by as many as 19 points the second time around. Palatka was able to cut into the Tornadoes’ lead in the second half, but was never able to get closer than seven points.
Bradford scored 11 of the game’s first 13 points. Maliki Cobarris had the game’s first basket, while Jy’Quez Cason scored off his own steal. Jordan Cason grabbed a defensive rebound and passed the ball downcourt to Cobarris for a transition basket and a 6-0 Tornadoes lead.
Jordan Cason and Breion Johnson each added a basket, while K.J. Taylor had a free throw as Bradford built an 11-2 lead.
Cobarris scored 12 of his team-high 15 points in the first quarter, which ended with Bradford ahead 16-10.
The Tornadoes put together a 16-0 run in the second quarter that began with a Cobarris three-pointer. After a Jordan Cason free throw, Carter scored and drew a foul, making the free throw. Carter then knocked down a three-point shot after a turnover to put the Tornadoes ahead 28-15.
Taylor made two free throws before Carter scored another basket off a turnover as the run continued. Carter was later fouled on a three-point attempt, making 2 of 3 free throws for a 34-15 lead.
Carter would finish with 12 points.
Taylor, who also finished with 12 points, helped the Tornadoes stay ahead in the third quarter. He scored a basket off his own steal and also sank a three-point shot.
Cobarris, Taylor and Jordan Cason each had a basket in the fourth quarter, with Carter and Cobarris also adding points at the foul line.
Jy’Quez Cason and Jordan Cason finished with six and five points, respectively, while Johnson added two.
Jordan Cason led the team in rebounds with 10, while Cobarris and Jy’Quez Cason each had five.
Cobarris also had five assists and four steals.
Taylor and Jy’Quez Cason had five and three steals, respectively.
Bradford entered the game off its only district loss, which came by a score of 84-49 to host Newberry on Jan. 27.
Johnson and Cobarris led the team in scoring with 16 and 12 points, respectively, with the Tornadoes also getting 10 from Jordan Cason, four from Carter, three from Jy’Quez Cason and two each from Taylor and Larry Ardley.
Cobarris dished out eight assists, while Jy’Quez Cason had five steals.
Jy’Quez Cason and Jordan Cason grabbed six and five rebounds, respectively.
Newberry, which is fifth in the Florida High School Athletic Association/MaxPreps Class 3A power rankings, would go on to finish the regular season undefeated (21-0).
The Tornadoes wrapped up their regular season with a 50-40 win against visiting Belleview on Jan. 31. The Telegraph-Times-Monitor didn’t have stats by deadline.
Bradford (15-4) earned the number-two seed in the District 3 tournament and will host third seed Palatka in a semifinal game on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 6 p.m. If the Tornadoes win, they’ll play at top seed Newberry or host fourth seed Interlachen for the championship on Friday, Feb. 7, at a time to be determined.
