Franklin Varsity Team Sweep East Henderson
Sports, Team FYN Sports, TeamFYNSports December 15, 2021
The Franklin Panthers hosted East Henderson on Tuesday night in girls and boys varsity basketball. The Panther fans were treated to a varsity sweep on the night. First, the Girls game was utter domination with the Lady Panthers putting a running clock on East Henderson winning 68-9. While the boy’s game was much more competitive but Franklin was able to withstand the East Henderson comeback attempt. The boys would win 56-48 in improving to 5-2 on the year.
Girls Recap:
The Lady Panther’s domination started right from the get-go. They took the first quarter lead shutting out East Henderson 19-0. East Henderson would at least score in the second quarter getting six points. Franklin though would put up 31 in the quarter and go into halftime up 50-6. The one good thing was that the running clock immediately started in the third quarter as Franklin was up by over 40 already. The second half would move quickly and Franklins girls would improve to 4-3 on the year.
Boys Recap:
The boy’s game was set up to be a big-time game as East Henderson was undefeated 6-0 coming into the game. While the Panthers came into the game 5-2, this one could end up having big ramifications for the conference this year. Franklin took early control looking like they may run away with it leading after the first quarter 21-8. Then the second quarter looked similar as they further increased their lead to be up at half 36-15. The second half was all East Henderson though as they dug themselves out of the 21 point deficit they dug themselves into. They outscored Franklin by thirteen in the second half but Franklins big lead early paid off as they won 56-48. Griffen Green led the way with 20 points while Preston Cabe contributed a big 17 points going 7-8 from the field.
Franklin Boys and Girls Team Take Down Swain
Sports, Team FYN Sports, TeamFYNSports December 11, 2021
The Franklin Panthers hosted the Swain County Maroon Devils on Friday night. The girls matchup was first as Swain was looking to avenge a loss from earlier in the week. While the boys game was the opposite as Franklin was trying to get one back on Swain after losing to them Monday. Both Panthers boys and girls teams would win in controlling fashion to sweep the varsity contests on Friday night.
Girls Recap:
Franklin got off to the better start in this matchup, leading 12-6 at the end of the first quarter. Franklin got some easy baskets early, forcing turnovers as their full court pressure bothered Swain. Swain fought back in the second quarter and trimmed Franklin leads to go into halftime trailing 23-19. In the third quarter Franklin came out hot and built their lead back up. Swain was getting some good looks but multiple fast break unforced turnovers hurt the Lady Devils. It did not matter though as the third quarter was all Lady Panthers, who took a controlling 38-23 lead. The fourth quarter saw Swain play really well but the 15 point deficit was just too much to overcome. As the Franklin Lady Panthers complete the two game sweep of Swain this season winning 51-39.
Girls Game Highlights:
Boys Recap:
Just as Monday’s matchup was high scoring, so was this game early on. Franklin did take an early lead against the Maroon Devils leading at the end of the 1st quarter 24-17. The second quarter saw Franklin as hot as you have ever seen a team. They hit tons of threes, according to the FPSN, the Panthers were around 70% from three in the half. Taking a commanding lead 54-38 by quarters end.The third quarter was pretty even with Franklin not giving Swain any chance at a comeback. The Panthers would take a 76-58 lead into the fourth quarter. A hot start to the quarter would immediately put the game out of reach, if it wasn’t already. Franklin would avenge their lone loss of the season by winning in impressive fashion 95-66. Griffin Green led the way with a 30 point performance.
Boys Game Highlight:
Franklin Swain Girls and Boys Recap
Sports, Team FYN Sports, TeamFYNSports December 7, 2021
The Franklin Panthers and the Swain Maroon Devils played on Monday night in a set of great games. The girls game was full of back and forth action in the first half. Then Franklin pulled away in the second half to win 65-51. The boys game was action packed and high scoring. It was full blast for four quarter but Swains depth really helped them in the second half. This allowed them to pull away and win the boys matchup
Girls Game:
1st Half:
The Lady Devils got off to a good start in the game, hitting three first quarter threes to help get out to an early lead. Franklin was held scoreless for about half of the first quarter. The Lady Panthers would start to get the ball inside late in the quarter though to chip away at Swain’s lead. The first quarter would end with the Lady Devils leading 13-8. The second quarter would start with Franklin getting a few quick buckets along with a steal and they tied the game up at 13. The second quarter would go back and forth with several lead changes. A late three pointer would give the Lady Devils the lead back to end the quarter. Going into halftime Swain led Franklin 31-29.
2nd Half:
Just as Swain was hot early, Franklin came out firing to start the second half. The Lady Panthers quickly erased the two point deficit and took the lead. They would hold on to the lead for almost the entire quarter. Swain went cold just as Franklin got hot, but Swain did hit a shot at the buzzer. This kept the margin close with Franklin leading 45-41 going into the fourth quarter. Franklin stayed red hot in the fourth quarter, scoring 20 points to put the game away. The big story of the night was Tori Ensley who had 31 points, Swain just didn’t have an answer for her. The final score, Franklin 65, Swain 51.
Girls Game Highlights:
Boys Game:
1st Half:
The Panthers got off to a great start pushing the pace and hitting multiple threes. Halfway through the first quarter and the Panthers had already taken a 12-4 lead. Swain took a timeout and quickly responded, hitting back to back threes to get right back into it. Yet just as Swain took a swing, the Panthers hit right back with a barrage of threes to extend their lead back out this time to 21-10. Swain would respond again and the high scoring quarter would end with Franklin leading 23-17. The second quarter would continue to be a back and forth affair with Swain slowly chipping away at the lead. By halftime Swain had taken the lead 42-39 behind several threes from Donnavin Groenewold.
2nd Half:
If you thought the scoring would slow down in the second half you would be wrong. Both teams continued to push the pace but Swain was more efficient with their opportunities. Extending their lead out to 65-55 by the quarter’s end. The fourth quarter was similar to the third in that both teams kept fighting hard. Swain, though, continued to hold a slight upper hand and was able to hold on for a solid victory, 83-70.
Boys Game Highlights: