n a matchup of two of top four teams in the 4th Region, according to media polls, the fourth ranked Franklin-Simpson Wildcats lost 53-52 to the third ranked South Warren Spartans in a back and forth nailbiter on Saturday night at the F-S Gym.
DeMarcus Hogan had a tremendous 1st Quarter as he dropped two 3-pointers in a row to score eight straight points in one stretch. Gavin Dickerson also drained a 3-pointer to score five points with a basket from O.J. Gamble as the Wildcats led 16-9. Gabe Jones and hogan each hoit a 3-pointer as they extended their lead to 12, 26-14. But South Warren closed the 1st Half on a 7-1 run with Bryce Button scoring four points and Andrew Goley’s steal and layup trimmed Franklin-Simpson’s lead to 27-21 at halftime.
The Wildcats made one field goal off a steal and layup by Jones late in the 3rd Quarter but managed to score 10 points by getting to the free throw line with Briscoe scoring seven points there. Justin Posey led the Spartans’ comeback as he nailed two 3-pointers to score eight points with Drew Hudson adding a 3-pointer as well as Franklin-Simpson trailed 39-37.
The game was tied twice in the 4th quarter with a pair of free throws made by Mathias Dickerson and Kamryn Ray. Briscoe scored nine points that included two free throws with 8.8 seconds left in the game. Andrew Linhardt was fouled with 0.8 seconds left and made both free throws for a one point lead for the Spartans. Mathias Dickerson’s cross court pass to Briscoe was complete and his off-balanced shot hit the side of the rim as time expired as Franklin-Simpson lost a close one to South Warren, 53-52.
Jalen Briscoe led all scorers with a game high of 20 points with DeMarcus Hogan scoring 11 points for the Wildcats. Drew Hudson and Brandon Rowe led the Spartans with 11 points each.
Franklin-Simpson will play their final home game of the regular season on Thursday night for Senior Night in a girls/boys’ doubleheader with the Glasgow Scotties. Tip-off time will follow the girls’ game that starts at 6:00 and the Senior Night festivities where seniors from both basketball teams along with from the cheer,dance and swim teams and pep band will be honored in between the doubleheader games.
Scoring Summary
SW 9 12 18 14 53
F-S 16 11 10 15 52
SW (53) Hudson 11 Rowe 11 Button 9 Posey 8 Linhardt 7 Goley 6 Bratcher 1
F-S (52) Briscoe 20 Hogan 11 G. Dickerson 8 Jones 7 M. Dickerson 2 Gamble 2 Ray 2
Comments