It took a while, but Franklin finally pulled away and secured a 52-36 Mid-State Conference win over host Greenwood Friday night in boys basketball.
The victory continued Franklin’s mastery over the Woodmen.
Counting the Johnson County Tournament and sectional play, the Grizzly Cubs have now won 11 of the past 12 contests between the two long-time foes.
It was also the fourth straight win for Franklin, which hasn’t lost to Greenwood since the aforementioned tournament back in 2017.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
Franklin coach Brad Dickey perhaps explained it best.
“There’s nothing to it,” Dickey. “We know it’s a struggle to play against this good team, so we’re fortunate to keep it rolling tonight.”
Despite hitting their shots and playing reasonably error-free basketball, the Cubs couldn’t build more than a nine-point lead in the first half.
Greenwood for its part, wasn’t hitting as many shots, but they were getting plenty of second chances and they also took care of the ball, preventing Franklin from stretching out the lead.
Not helping Franklin was they went scoreless the final three minutes of the first half.
In the second half, the Woodmen outscored the Cubs 12-10 to cut the lead to six at 37-31, but fortunately for the Cubs, they were able to put some points up.
Another good run by Greenwood could have really made Franklin nervous. However, the Cubs were poised in their play in the fourth, while the Woodmen missed practically everything they put up.
They did manage to hit a 3-point sho — their first of the night by T.J. Price, but that was one of only two field goals for the Woodmen in the fourth.
Franklin pretty much put the game away with more than four minutes left and took care of the ball and slowed the game down.
“We weren’t exactly polished and weren’t always smooth offensively, but we were very tough the whole night,” said Dickey. “We’re proud of our toughness and effort in this game.”
Franklin (3-1, 1-0) was led by Cory Richards and Drew Byerly, who had 14 points apiece. Reece Thomson added 13.
Greenwood (1-3, 0-2) had one player in double-figures, Gavin Dowling with 14 points.
“We continue to make immature, inexperienced mistakes and that cost us,” said Greenwood coach Joe Bradburn. “We weren’t following our scouting plan very well and they made us pay. We have to make sure we understand the details of the game and not beat ourselves.”
