Franklin rolls over Seneca in playoff opener

As quickly as action started in the second half of the Franklin versus Seneca game, it was stopped. The scoreboard, which had previously shown the Knights held a commanding lead, was dark. 

For about five minutes, there was no action at the House of Hustle Friday night. It was the longest stretch the Knights went without scoring a basket as they cruised to a 92-43 victory over the Bobcats in the opening round of the District 10 playoffs. 

To say Franklin was on fire would be putting it mildly.
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​Three-pointers were falling like layups. 
They lept out to a 24-3 lead largely on four Damarco Payne three-pointers.

​Jalen Wood and Damon Curry also hit a three. 

Franklin’s defense was relentless barely allowing Seneca a shot. When they did get one off, it was altered by hands in the face then Franklin crashed the boards getting nearly all the rebounds. 
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In the first quarter, the Knights hit seven threes, had six points on fast break steals and two points on a Cole Buckley offensive rebound putback before his feet touched back to the floor.

​They took a 20-point lead into the second quarter. 

When halftime rolled around Franklin was up by 43 as three Knights were in double digits.

​Damarco Payne was leading the way with 20 of the Knights' 58 first-half points. 

The running clock was put into effect, other than the brief power outage, the rest of the way. 
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Ten Knights scored on the night. Damarco Payne ended up with 26. Curry added 17. Wood had 16 and Buckley 15. Gavin Eakin dropped in six. Ethan and Alex Umbenhauer each had three. Dreyden Payne, Will Findlay and James Wilford each with a bucket. 
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On the night, Franklin dropped 16 threes and was 7-9 from the line. 

The hope of a Route 8 rivalry district final was dashed when up the road in Meadville, Oil City was ousted in a 40 to 33 loss to Fairview. Fairview will take on Girard.

Franklin will play Tuesday against Mercyhurst Prep who beat North East 74-58.