BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Telegraph Staff Writer
Takayla Barnes had a strong first half in helping give the Bradford Middle School girls basketball team a 10-point lead, while Cayson Hampton’s strong second half helped the Tornadoes defeat P.K. Yonge 34-19 in the semifinals of the Suwannee Middle Athletic Conference tournament on Jan. 23 in Keystone Heights.
The top seed Tornadoes will now play second seed Williston for the championship on Thursday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. at Keystone Heights High School.
Consecutive baskets by Hampton and Kamari Haygood sent Bradford into the second quarter leading 10-6.
Barnes made two free throws after getting fouled on a shot to start the second quarter. She added three baskets to help the Tornadoes build a 20-10 halftime lead. Barnes had eight points in the quarter and 13 in the half.
Hampton scored off a Kaliyah James steal for the first points of the third quarter. James later scored off an offensive rebound, while Jaleigha Bolden scored off a Barnes steal. Hampton knocked down a jump shot following another turnover as Bradford took a 28-12 lead into the final quarter.
P.K. Yonge, the tournament’s fifth seed, committed 50 turnovers in all.
Hampton scored off her own steal early in the fourth quarter as she finished with eight points in the second half and 10 for the game.
Barnes led Bradford with 13 points, while Wynter Barrington had five. Bolden, Haygood and James each added two points.
