BY CLIFF SMELLEY
Though the Bradford High School girls basketball team lost its second straight game on Jan. 18 to Oakleaf, the Tornadoes did have something to celebrate as junior Ar’Nayshia Griffin eclipsed 1,000 points for her career.
“It was very exciting,” said Griffin, who after her 18-point effort against Oakleaf and 23-point effort against Eastside on Jan. 20 now has 1,036 career points. “It’s something that’s not really known (to happen) here.”
Bradford Head Coach Sampson Jackson added, “It’s a milestone many people don’t get to.”
Yet when Griffin saw it was within her reach prior to the season, she was ready to go get it. Reaching it in a game Bradford won would’ve been the icing on the cake, but the accomplishment was in no way diminished.
“That was my moment,” Griffin said. “I’ll always be proud of it. Of course, I wanted to win, but I’ll just take my moments when I have them.”
Griffin (through Jan. 20) has 393 points this season, averaging 24.5 per game. She has had six games in which she’s scored at least 30 points, with a high this season of 43 in a 66-31 win over Suwannee on Jan. 13.
In looking at players who’ve had their stats uploaded to MaxPreps, Griffin has the most points in Class 3A ahead of North Bay Haven Charter Academy’s Kaylee Goodpaster, who has 384 points. Griffin’s points-per-game average is third best in 3A behind Somerset College Prep’s Khloe Rodgers (25.2) and Pine Crest’s Isabella Sangha (25.1).
Griffin is ranked 12th in total points and 11th in scoring average when you combine all of the state’s classifications.
I’ve been in the gym consistently this summer, getting more shots in and getting my confidence up,” Griffin said.
Jackson said what Griffin does outside of games has been the key to her effectiveness.
“She’s dedicated to working,” Jackson said. “She’s always willing to get into the gym and put in extra work, put in extra time. There are still areas she’s trying to improve in — different areas related to the game — but I think just that time has allowed her to get comfortable with the ball in her hands and scoring.”
Griffin said also gave credits to her teammates, saying, “They’re just amazing. They give me the ball. They let me score. They let me do mine; I let them do theirs. We just play together.”
