By ANDREW FAISON/CORRESPONDENT
andrew.faison@yahoo.com

COURTLAND—Southampton High School girls defeated Franklin 62-28 on Saturday night.

“Southampton just had the better team tonight,” said Franklin Coach Mona Sumblin.

Southampton improved to 12-3 on the season, while Franklin fell to 3-13 after the non-conference game.

Leading the way for Southampton was Ronnie Powell with 22 points. Regina Artis added 15 while going 5-for-6 from the free-throw line.

Leading the way for Franklin was Jazmyn Anthony with 10 points.

“We were missing two people tonight,” Sumblin said. “My point guard and my shooting guard — one with a hurt foot, the other with food poisoning, so that made a tremendous difference. “

Southampton was first on the board with a 2-pointer by Artis, who turned around and scored on a fast break to give the Indians a 4-0 lead with 6:55 remaining in the first quarter. Franklin got on the board as Anthony hit a 3-pointer with 5:17 remaining in the quarter. The quarter ended with Southampton leading 22-6.

“My girls are young and inexperienced,” said Sumblin. “Our main thing this year is to improve with every game. If we can do that, we will be OK, but right now we still need to work on that.”

With 4:33 left in the first half, Franklin called a timeout after Powell hit back-to-back lay-ups off broken up passes, giving the Indians a 26-3 lead. The half ended with Southampton leading 37-14.

The fourth quarter was shortened from 8 minutes to 6 minutes after Southampton was leading 54-15 at the end of the third quarter.

“Franklin is always going to be there,” said Sumblin. “We are going to work hard and we are going to get back.”

Southampton’s final three games of the regular season are all Southside District match-ups as the Indians travel to Powhatan today, Feb. 7, and Prince Edward on Wednesday, Feb. 9, before returning home on Friday, Feb. 11, to face Greensville. Game times are 6 p.m.

“Tonight I just wanted to get everybody some playing time,” said Lady Indians’ Coach Aronda Bell. “The kids that had been playing a whole lot got some rest going into the three games next week.”

The Lady Broncos will travel to Tri-Rivers District foe Sussex Central on Tuesday, Feb. 8, and Chesterfield on Wednesday, Feb. 9, before hosting Charles City on Friday, Feb. 11. Game times are 5:30 p.m.