BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Bradford High School scored eight of the game’s final 10 points in defeating The Rock 47-43 in a Nov. 20 girls basketball matchup in Gainesville.
The Tornadoes (1-1) trailed by eight in the third quarter before scoring four points in the final 20 seconds. Kaiya Thompson hit a short jumper, while Kailyn Teal scored off an offensive rebound to send Bradford into the fourth quarter trailing 36-32.
Bradford scored the first four points of the final quarter on baskets by Ar’Nayshia Griffin and Kah’myra Hankerson.
It was a 41-41 game after a basket by The Rock’s Darielle Grant. The Lions wouldn’t score again until less than 20 seconds remained in the game.
Griffin scored five points down the stretch and finished with a game-high 21 points. She also led Bradford in rebounds with 10 and assists with three. She shared the team high in steals with Cayson Hampton, with each player getting three.
Hankerson, who scored three points in the latter stages of the game, finished with nine points, while Hampton had seven. Hampton also had five rebounds.
Teal had five points, while Thompson and Wynter Barrington each had two. Kylee Johnson finished with one point.
Barrington and Johnson grabbed nine and six rebounds, respectively.
The Tornadoes opened the season on the road against Fort White, losing 42-33 on Nov. 18.
Riley Shuford had two three-pointers in the third quarter to help send Bradford into the final quarter leading 25-21. The Tornadoes were then outscored 21-8.
Griffin scored 14 points, while Shuford and Hampton finished with nine and eight, respectively. Hankerson added two points.
It was a double-double for Griffin, who grabbed 12 rebounds. She also had four assists, four steals and three blocks.
Hankerson had four steals, while Barrington and Shuford each had three. Barrington also grabbed seven rebounds.
The Tornadoes will return to action on Monday, Dec. 1, when they host Eastside at 7 p.m.
