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Kelvin Hayes is the Franklin High School varsity girls basketball team’s first-year head coach, and he notched his first win on Wednesday, Dec. 11, when the Lady Broncos triumphed 59-32 over visiting Sussex Central High School at Peggy H. Wilkins Gymnasium.

“It was a great team effort, and I loved the energy that the girls had,” Hayes said. “This is our first win, and it started on the defensive end where the girls’ play really smothered the basketball when they were on it.”

The Lady Broncos got off to a slow start in the first quarter, as they were behind 13-6 at the end of the period. 

In the second quarter the home team, playing great defense while pumping up the offense, took a 25-19 lead to the locker room. 

The third quarter featured an offensive explosion, as the Lady Broncos outscored the Lady Tigers 23-8 to push their lead to 48-27 at the end of the period. 

For the final quarter of play, Franklin held Sussex Central to five points to seal the win. 

“The guards got out in transition, and we made transitional baskets,” Hayes said, “and this was the first game that we made transitional baskets, which makes a difference in the basketball game. We did not shoot well in the first half, but in the second half we shot a lot better. I think that their confidence level has improved, and that makes a big difference.”

In scoring, the Lady Broncos were led by sophomore Jahnia Jordan with 17 points and sophomore Aaliyah Gatling with 16 points.

Franklin (1-7) were set to host Southampton High School (2-3) on Tuesday, Dec. 17, before the holiday break.