COURTLAND
The stands were packed for the Fourth Annual Franklin vs. Southampton Alumni basketball game on Saturday at the Peggy Wilkins Gym at Franklin High School.

Game announcer Brenon Artis opened the event by asking all present to stand in a moment of silence for two very recent alumni of Franklin High School that have been called from labor to rest, Tiffany Louwinskii and Martinez Hill.

The event opened with a game between the Franklin High School Lady Broncos vs. the Southampton County High School Lady Indians.

The Lady Broncos took the lead early in the game and seemed headed toward an easy victory. But late in the fourth quarter with 3:06 remaining to be played, the Lady Indians made a run at the home team and took the lead 27-25. The Lady Broncos, not throwing in the towel, fought back, and with 1:26 remaining on the clock tied the score at 27-all. Going back on offense, the Lady Indians went into a freeze to play for one shot. Shamia Lindsey dropped in a basket for the Lady Indians to put them ahead 29-27. With under a minute in the game, Eboney Joyner connected with a 3-point basket to put the home team back ahead 30-29. Another quick basket by the home team sealed the win 32-29.

Kiaria Lee led the Lady Broncos in scoring with 10 points and Talisha Jenkins led the Lady Indians with 12 points.

In the men’s game the Indians brought their best and took control of the scoring early in the first quarter. By halftime they were up 24-9. The Broncos couldn’t crank up much offense in the 2nd half, nor could their defense stop the Indians in scoring. As the final horn sounded the Indians were up 48-27.

Darien Taylor led the scoring for the Indians with 11 points and Valdez Artis tipped in 9 points for the Broncos.

Lakenneth Kindred, the event organizer, said he wanted to thank everyone for their support in this fundraiser for the Franklin High School football team.