The Franklin High School varsity girls basketball team enters the Tri-Rivers District Tournament this week having won eight of its last 11 games to put it at 13-8 overall for the season.

The Lady Broncos fell 63-35 to visiting Virginia High School League Class 5 program Nansemond River High School on Saturday, Feb. 4, but Franklin earned two more district wins earlier in the week.

Franklin had defeated Sussex Central High School 50-17 on Dec. 19, but its last two wins against the Lady Tigers came by forfeit, including the win on Friday, Feb. 3.

The Lady Broncos had no problems on Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the gym of Southampton High School as they defeated the Lady Indians with a score of 48-39. 

The two teams were set for a rematch Monday, Feb. 6, in Franklin at 6 p.m. in the district tournament quarterfinals.

The Lady Broncos held a narrow lead of 26-21 at the half on Feb. 1. Offensively, they executed best in the third quarter as they outscored the Lady Indians 16-11. 

Both teams had their poorest offensive showing in the final quarter, with six points for Franklin and seven points for Southampton. 

“It was a big win for us,” Lady Broncos Head Coach Dennis Sumblin said shortly after the Feb. 1 game. “We are getting ready to go into the tournament starting Monday. We know coming out to Southampton we have a rivalry, so you can throw records out the window because there will always be that ‘bragging rights’ thing. 

“So, we have been playing well and winning, but I told the team that we just couldn’t take them for granted that they are going to give us a ballgame,” he continued. “We have to come out playing and win this one, and that is what we did. We fought hard and won it in the end. I congratulated the team on a job well done, and we will get ready for the next one.” 

Junior guard Ariana Picot led the Lady Broncos in scoring with 30 points. For the Lady Indians, junior point guard Indiya Reid led the way in scoring with 11 points, followed by senior forward Shaimeer Shearin with 10 points.