Broncos score needed 82-64 district win
Published 11:05 am Wednesday, January 19, 2011
FRANKLIN—After dropping three games in a row, the Franklin Broncos are back on the winning path.
Franklin senior Trey Kigler draws a foul on drive to a basket during Tuesday night's game against Charles City.
Absent during those three games due to an injury was senior shooting guard Trey Kigler. Kigler returned to the lineup Tuesday night, and the Broncos got a needed, impressive 82-64 Tri-Rivers District win over Charles City.
“We came out tonight with life,” said Franklin Coach Danny Dillon.
In the first quarter, both teams came a running and a gunning. Anxious to get back in rhythm, Kigler dropped in 6 points, but went 0-for-6 from the free-throw line. Senior Justin Grant also hit three baskets and was 2-for-5 from the free-throw line. The Panthers held a 23-22 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Junior Derante Holmes put the Broncos ahead 28-25 early in the second quarter. Teammate junior Jalen Vincent pushed it to 28-25 with a 3-point shot. Soon after, another 3-point shot by senior Andre Foreman expanded the lead to 27-33. To end the first half, senior Dontray Hunter scored, giving the Broncos a 43-31 lead.
At the 5:10 mark of the third quarter, the Broncos were up by 47-37. Grant got the crowd on its feet on a fast-break drive and a monster slam dunk that increased the Bronco lead to 52-37. Kigler ended the scoring for the quarter by connecting a 3-pointer at the buzzer with the score now 60-47.
In the final quarter, the Panthers made a run at the Broncos, scoring three straight baskets to cut the lead to 63-58 with 4:45 remaining. With time becoming a major factor, the Panthers got aggressive, going after the ball, but it resulted in fouls. The Broncos scored four baskets and were 11-21 from the free-throw line to thaw all hopes of a Panther win.
“Hustle is what I want out of each player, win or lose,” Dillon said after the game. “Tonight they gave it all that they had to pull off this win over a great team.”
The Broncos were led in scoring by Grant with 23 points; Kigler added 22 and Foreman made 14 points.
The Broncos are 3-4 overall and 2-4 in the district.
Franklin will host Northampton County on Friday, Jan. 21, with the junior varsity game getting under way at 5:30 p.m.
