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The Franklin High School varsity boys basketball team took advantage of a good first half Feb. 3 to win big, 62-42, against the Surry County High School Cougars. 

Playing at the Peggy H. Wilkins Gymnasium at Franklin High School, the Broncos outscored the Cougars 22-2 in the second quarter of play to take a 31-10 lead to the locker room at the end of the first half. The Cougars made a 21-12 run in the third quarter, but the home team turned it back around in the fourth quarter with a 20-11 run to seal the win.

In scoring, the Broncos had two players in double figures; Franklin was led by Kaden Bailey, with 23 points, and Derrick Perry, with 15 points. The Surry Cougars were led by Khamari Palmer, with 10 points. 

Franklin Head Coach Robby Cutchins said after the game, “What an effort by this basketball team. But hats off to Surry. I know that it sounds like a cliche, but they are really a good basketball team over there, very well coached, a great group of kids and a lot of experienced seniors in their program. 

“We came out early and played the best half of basketball that we have played all year,” he continued. “I think we may have been up maybe 21 at the half. But I told the boys at halftime that ‘you better understand that is the best two quarters that you have played all year and you are not going to be able to hit shots like these in the third quarter.’ 

“And we got outscored by 10 points in the third quarter, but we weathered the storm and stuck to the game plan defensively and got off in the final quarter to close the deal,” he said. “That is a big win for us in the region and as far as regional standings are concerned. Proud of this group.”