BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Ar’Nayshia Griffin and Jada Hankerson scored 20 and 21 points, respectively, as the Bradford High School girls basketball team defeated Class 4A The Villages 50-27 on Jan. 25.
It was the fifth straight win for the Class 3A Tornadoes, with all of those wins coming against schools in larger classifications.
Griffin, who’s averaged 22 points per game during the win streak, also had nine rebounds, six steals and three assists, while Hankerson, who’s averaged 17 points during the last five games, added seven steals.
Destiny Crum and Kayla Evans each scored three points, while Nichelle Brown had two.
The week began with Bradford (13-7) defeating host Dunnellon 42-41 on Jan. 22. Dunnellon entered the game ranked 15th in the Florida High School Athletic Association’s Class 4A power poll.
Bradford outscored the Tigers 17-10 in the opening quarter and led by six at halftime. Dunnellon rallied and took a 37-35 lead into the fourth quarter.
Griffin and Hankerson scored 15 and 14 points, respectively. Griffin also had 12 rebounds, five assists and three blocks, while Hankerson had six steals.
The Tornadoes also got six points from Ajiyah Jackson, five from Crum and two from Kha’Myra Hankerson.
Kha’Myra Hankerson and Jackson grabbed seven and six rebounds, respectively.
Bradford hosted Class 6A Oakleaf on Jan. 23, with Jada Hankerson pouring in 31 points to help lead the Tornadoes to a 42-22 win.
Hankerson also had seven rebounds, six steals and three assists, while Griffin had 16 points, 14 rebounds, four steals and three assists.
The Tornadoes got six points from Crum, two from Kailyn Teal and one from Brown, who made her return from an injury she suffered last spring playing flag football.
Jackson grabbed 12 rebounds.
Bradford concludes the regular season at home against Fort White on Thursday, Feb. 1, at 6 p.m. The Tornadoes will play in the District 2 tournament next week.
Tournament details haven’t been released yet.
