| Franklin showed why they are once again a contender in the PIAA Class 3A playoffs as they easily defeated the Neshannock Lancers 69-55 Saturday at the Castle. It was a combination of outstanding play off the bench by Will Finlan, a fairly balanced attack by Franklin's offense, and Cole Buckley demonstrating that he is one Knight who should not be underestimated. Or as one young fan put it "He was floating like an astronaut" when Buckley skied to snag an inbound pass and before coming down shot the ball for two. "We had intensity. We had a little chip on our shoulder and we were going to set the tone that way," coach Jason Fulmer said following the opening round win. The afternoon game got off to a slow start on the scoreboard. Damon Curry hit a free throw at 7:47, then neither team was able to connect for points for more than two minutes. The whistlers were still busy calling six fouls in the opening minutes of the contest which set the tone for eventual foul trouble and early substitutions.. Things finally started moving along in the scoring department when Buckley hit for two at 5:33. From there, the Knights started to dominate. |    |
"Right from our first possession we pounded it right in to (Curry). We were like, hey this is what we are going to do. We aren't going to sit around the arch all night," Fulmer said. "We are going to get to the rim."
By the end of the first, Franklin had a 18-8 lead and the Lancers would never get closer
By the end of the first, Franklin had a 18-8 lead and the Lancers would never get closer
The second was Buckley's time to shine as he drained 12 points in the quarter, including 8 in row for the Knights' offense. On the defense side, they held Neshannock to single digits once again.
"We set the tone - 17 points in the first half, pretty defensive. We were intense," Fulmer recalled on his team's first half efforts.
The Knights went into the locker room with a 36-17 lead.
"We set the tone - 17 points in the first half, pretty defensive. We were intense," Fulmer recalled on his team's first half efforts.
The Knights went into the locker room with a 36-17 lead.
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After an extended halftime due to a medical emergency in the stands, the Knights came back out ready to seal the deal.
With 2:20 left in the quarter, Franklin had extended their lead to 21 points and Neshannock started seeing the game slip away.
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They responded by trying to turn the pressure on Franklin with a half court press. "We handled it much better," Fulmer said of his team's effort Saturday verus the District 10 game. "We started out a little rusty ... after that settled in, we were OK. We got the conversation, which we have been struggling with."
Jalen Wood hit a three off a pass from Buckley to in the final seconds of the quarter and Franklin was now up 57-31.
Jalen Wood hit a three off a pass from Buckley to in the final seconds of the quarter and Franklin was now up 57-31.
Neshannock continued to apply the pressure and force Franklin to fully play out the final stanza. With brothers Damarco and Dreyden Payne both in foul trouble early on, Buckley and Wood remained on the floor without breaks, Wood staying until the end buzzer sounded. Finlan also logged several minutes of playing time.
"Credit to Will Finlan. I'm hard on him," Fulmer said stating the underclassman's role in the future of the program as well as his role here and now. "Ultimately he has to get where we need him to be this year... He did a hell of a job tonight," Fulmer said.
Despite a fourth quarter slowdown by Franklin, the Knights earned the 69-55 win.
Buckley led the offensive attack against Neshannock with 18 points. Other Knights with double digits were Curry with 14, Wood with 13 and Damarco Payne with 10. Finlan had six, Dreyden Payne had five, and Gavin Eakin had three.
The win was a good bounce back after losing a disappointing district final last week to Girard.
"Girard punched us in the face. They got up after us. They challenged us. We didn't respond to it ... well. We got turned up a little bit," Fulmer said. "It was the perfect storm,"
Fulmer and his coaching staff turned it into a learning experience to prepare for the difficult games ahead.
It will continue with District 5 champs Chestnut Ridge High School (23-4) of Bedford County Wednesday at a time and location to be determined.
"Credit to Will Finlan. I'm hard on him," Fulmer said stating the underclassman's role in the future of the program as well as his role here and now. "Ultimately he has to get where we need him to be this year... He did a hell of a job tonight," Fulmer said.
Despite a fourth quarter slowdown by Franklin, the Knights earned the 69-55 win.
Buckley led the offensive attack against Neshannock with 18 points. Other Knights with double digits were Curry with 14, Wood with 13 and Damarco Payne with 10. Finlan had six, Dreyden Payne had five, and Gavin Eakin had three.
The win was a good bounce back after losing a disappointing district final last week to Girard.
"Girard punched us in the face. They got up after us. They challenged us. We didn't respond to it ... well. We got turned up a little bit," Fulmer said. "It was the perfect storm,"
Fulmer and his coaching staff turned it into a learning experience to prepare for the difficult games ahead.
It will continue with District 5 champs Chestnut Ridge High School (23-4) of Bedford County Wednesday at a time and location to be determined.
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Last Shot: And for this week's Jason Fulmer impersonation contest winner.... Jalen Wood.
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