ON THE RISE...are the Bradford Railroaders, who behind the hot hand of Phillip Jones has won three of the last four games.

FEBRUARY 10, 2009 - NEW PARIS
The Bradford boys basketball team has turn the corner as of late, capturing three wins in the last four games to improve the win total to five on the season.

The latest victory, a 65-56 win over National Trail on Tuesday, was Railroaders' first conference win since the 1999-2000 season. Bradford has come close before, but only to come up short due to circumstances. For instance, a previous win over Newton was a non-conference contest.

Bradford jumped out to a 13-7 lead after one and pushed the lead to double figures at the half, 28-18.

National Trail made an attempt to get back into the contest by connecting from long range, and cut the lead to single digits in the fourth quarter. The Blazers were deadly from the outside as they connected on seven three-point shots in the contest.

But Bradford won the game at the free throw line, making 19 of 25 free throws to preserve the well deserved victor, 65-56.

Phillip Jones continued his hot hand as he led Bradford with a game-high 24 points.

Logan Looker knocked down 13 points as seven players scored for the Railroaders in a balanced offensive attack.

Bradford improves to 5-11 on the season and 1-8 in Cross County Conference action.

Scoring by Quarters:
Bradford ...............13.......28......42......65 - 65
National Trail ........7........18......33......56 - 56

Bradord Scoring:
Phillip Jones - 24
Logan Looker - 13
Douglas Canan - 9
Daniel Phillips - 8
Tray Sanderson - 5
Thomas Church - 4
Cody Shafer - 2

National Trail Scoring:
Taylor Neal - 22
Tanner Rhodus - 16
Dalton Abner - 14
John Day - 2
Matt Gibbons - 2

3-point Scoring:
Bradford: Looker (2)
National Trail: Abner (4), Rhodus (3)