EASTVILLE—Franklin High School senior Justin Grant scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the Broncos to a 54-43 non-conference win during Wednesday’s season opener against Northampton.

With only four days of practice under their belt due to post-season football action, the Broncos led the entire game.

“That was the difference,” said Franklin Coach Danny Dillon. “We had the lead out of the gate, hitting three or four good shots, and made some good defensive plays.”

Most of Franklin’s basketball players also were on the football team, whose season didn’t end until losing in the Dec. 4 semifinal state game. The basketball team’s first practice was on Dec. 10.

“We had four days of tryouts, and then we had four solid practices,” Dillon said. “They practiced on Saturday for four hours. We were prepared as we could be with four practices.”

“They just really executed well as far as what they learned over four days,” he continued. “It was a big win to start the season.”

Franklin finished the first quarter with a 16-6 lead and went into the locker room with a 31-19 lead. At the end of the third quarter, the Broncos were ahead 39-27.

Bronco senior Andre Foreman scored 14 points and senior Trey Kigler added 8. Junior Jalen Vincent led in assists with 6.

The Broncos were 18-6 last season and lost starters Franti Urquhart, Denzel Smith and DeShawn Lassiter to graduation.

Key newcomers include Vincent and Delvontae Boone. Others on the team are seniors Jalen Boone, Justin Boone, Justin Everett, Dontray Hunter, Tyrell Pope and Melquan Mitchell; junior Derante Holmes; and sophomore Reshard Sumblin.

The Franklin junior varsity squad defeated Northampton 53-50 behind eighth-grader Adam Grant’s 14 points.

Franklin’s next game will be at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, at Southampton High School The junior varsity squad will play at 7.

Correspondent Will Hart contributed to this report.