Branford standout Tori Suggs reached the 1,000-point scoring mark on Jan. 8.   

BRANFORD, Fla. — From the first time she took the court for Branford High, scoring 23 points in her varsity debut as a freshman, it was clear Tori Suggs was a special basketball player.  

Now a senior, Suggs continues to shine. 

She reached the 1,000-point mark for her career during Branford’s win against Bell on Jan. 8. Needing eight points to reach the milestone, Suggs got it done in the first quarter.    

“I got chills down my body because I had been working for that my whole career,” Suggs said. “I wanted it so bad. That was my goal when I was a freshman.”

It was a moment made even better by having her mom on the sideline. 

Carla Suggs, who has coached the BHS girls basketball team since 2013, has been able to witness every point during Tori’s career. 

“I loved it as a parent and a coach,” Carla said of the 1,000-point moment, which she enjoyed for just a second before getting back into coaching mode. “It’s been great getting to spend a lot of time with her over the past four years and it seems to have flown by. She has had some great coaches that deserve credit. She has also had the privilege of playing with some great teammates.  

“We have certainly butted heads — she had to run sprints during a timeout at Bronson a few years back — but I’ve never had to question her love for the game.”

Suggs has used a complete offensive arsenal to average 12.7 points per game game during her BHS career. She’s made 77 3-pointers, including 33 during the 2017-18 season as a junior.

The 5-foot-5 guard also presents problems to opponents with her ability to get to the free throw line. She shoots almost seven free throws per game and has made 293 shots from the FT stripe.

Beyond the stats, Suggs has turned the BHS girls basketball team into a consistent winner the past four seasons. 

She has led Branford to a 55-24 record in the 79 games she has played, coming up clutch in some key moments. 

Suggs scored a career-high 26 points against Chiefland last season in a win or go home district semifinal. Her performance lifted the Buccaneers to a 60-51 victory and a state playoff appearance.

With less than a month remaining in the regular season, Suggs and the Buccaneers have a lot to look forward to, eyeing a third straight 20-win season and a chance to make their mark in the postseason.