FRANKLIN
It is that time of the year as high school basketball teams are entering that big dance which can end up in winning a state championship. The Franklin Broncos ended the season for the Sussex Central Tigers with an easy 78-44 win. Playing at the Peggy Wilkins Gym in Franklin High School on Wednesday, the Broncos now advance to the next round in their quest to be the state champion.

The Broncos jumped out quickly in the early minutes of the first quarter with a 4-0 lead. By the end of the quarter, the home team moved ahead with a score of 19-9.

Entering the second quarter, the Broncos pressed the Tigers with double teaming and traps that allowed them to get many steals and points to push their lead to 37-21 by half-time.

In the third quarter, the Broncos really stepped up their offensive as they dropped in their biggest firepower of the game with 22 points. The Tigers tried their best to press the Broncos full court, but the Broncos’ guard, Deuntae Jefferson, was just too fast and with quick moves to get by and through the double-player pressure they were applying.

“It is a huge win for the kids and a huge win for our program,” said Broncos head coach Robby Cutchins. “You know that we battle so much adversity and the kids have seen a lot of things this year up and down in the battle of adversity.

And to be able to continue to believe in their selves and what Coach Holemon and myself have been trying to do with these kids. And when they buy in and get that confidence, we are a dangerous basketball team. And the way we got out there on the defensive side of the floor speaks dividends for how good we can do.”

The Broncos’ strong defense held back attempts by the Tigers in the final quarter of play to make a run at them.

In scoring, the Broncos had three players in double figures. They were: Deuntae Jefferson with 19 points; Drelyn Ford with 13 points; and Kalil Thomas with 11 points. For the visiting Sussex Tigers, although no player was in double figures, M. Delk was their leading scorer with nine points.