Where there's a Will, there's a way

Franklin and Rocky Grove gave the crowd a thriller to close out the Dick Russell Memorial Christmas Tournament Saturday at The Castle.

The Knights came out victorious 53-50 thanks to an old-fashioned three-point play by Will Findlan with less than seven seconds to play.

Franklin jumpstarted the contest with a three-pointer by Alex Umbenhaur in the first 16 seconds.

The Orioles tied it 10 seconds later with a trey by Landen Carter and the tone of the game was set.
The teams exchanged buckets before Schiffer Anderson hit for three and Rocky Grove had the lead for the first time. Findlan had two baskets in the last minute of the quarter to give the Knights a slim margin at 11-10.

The Orioles scored first in the second quarter with a basket by Connor Ritchey at 6:55. Findlan answered for Franklin.
Noah Baughman hit his first two foul shots of the night and then three more after a Franklin technical on an attempt from behind the arch. Rocky Grove was ahead 17-14.

After trading baskets over the next few minutes of play, Franklin tied the game at 22 with a steal and a fastbreak by Nate Fezell. They went ahead by one when he converted the extra point on the foul.

Anderson answered by the Orioles to regain the lead 24-23.
Findlan took the lead back for the Knights 25-24. Baughman hit for three and then sunk two from the foul line as the Orioles surged ahead 29-25 with less than a minute left in the half.

Umbenhaur closed out the Knights’ first half offense with another two points before the team foul count sent Anderson to the line for two more for the Orioles, who went into the locker room with a 31-27 advantage.
The second half was much of the same.

Franklin struck first with two points by Jameson Wofford. Rocky Grove answered with a reverse layup by Anderson.
Wofford and Ian Higley combined for the next four points to tie the game at 33.

Baughman and Anderson pushed back with five points of their own.
Findlan hit for two for Franklin before Rocky Grove had six unanswered points, the longest run of the game.

With one minute left in the third, the Orioles were leading 44-35, but Franklin would not be denied. By the end of the quarter, they had decreased the gap to 46-40 with a bucket off an inbound pass to Findlan with only three seconds to play.

Down the stretch, the Knights outscored the Orioles 13-4. Things started with a bucket each by Findlan and Wofford. Carter hit two for Rocky Grove to keep them ahead 48-45 with just under half a quarter to go.

About a minute later Findlan scored and was foul. His successful free throw tied the game at 48 all.

Franklin took the lead temporarily when Wofford hit for two.

Aiden Focht returned the contest to a tie with two points for the Orioles.

With about seven seconds left to play, Findlan scored again, and was fouled again. His plus one gave Franklin a three-point lead.
After a series of timeouts, Rocky Grove inbounded the ball with three seconds to play. Anderson put up a three-pointer that went in and out of the rim, giving the game the thrilling ending it deserved.

Findlan had a game-high 22 points to lead the Knights. Wofford had 14, Fezell and Higley had six apiece, and Umbenhaur had 5.

Baughman led the Orioles with 20 points. Anderson had 14, Carter had 12, and Focht and Ritchey had two each.

Findlan was named the tournament MVP. Higley and Anderson were named to the all-tournament team alongside Will McMahon of Oil City and Shane Peters of Karns City.

Franklin (6-3) returns to action on January 7 when they travel to Conneaut Area.

Rocky Grove (6-2) hosts Redbank Valley for a game on January 3.