BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Despite committing 30 turnovers and shooting 11 of 28 from the field, the Bradford High School girls basketball team played second seed Rutherford close before ultimately losing 44-32 in a Region 1-3A quarterfinal game on Feb. 13 in Panama City.
The Tornadoes (14-9) trailed 9-5 after the first quarter and 23-16 at halftime. When the third quarter ended, Bradford still trailed by seven points.
It was the fifth loss for Bradford in its last six games.
Ar’Nayshia Griffin led the Tornadoes in scoring with 17 points and in rebounds with six. She and Nichelle Brown shared the team high in steals with three each.
Brown scored eight points, while Bradford also got two points each from Wynter Barrington, Cherish Bing and Kailyn Teal and one point from Nyasia Lopey.
Barrington was right behind Griffin in rebounds with five.
Rutherford (21-3) will host third seed Newberry (17-6) in a semifinal game on Tuesday, Feb. 18. Newberry, which defeated Bradford for the District 3 championship, advanced by defeating sixth seed Jackson 65-55.
