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Franklin High School’s varsity boys basketball team recovered after a slow, low-scoring first half Dec. 11 and came to life in the second half to take a 65-54 win over Sussex Central High School at Peggy H. Wilkins Gymnasium.

The Broncos were outscored by the Tigers in both the first and second quarters, but the second half belonged to the Broncos. They opened the third quarter with a 27-15 scoring run that resulted in them taking a 47-40 lead, and they led for the remainder of the game.

Franklin had four scorers in double figures: Senior Travis Mabry with 20 points, senior Altavis Turner with 15 points, senior Kamarre Hicks with 11 points and sophomore LJ Majette with 10 points. 

Broncos Head Coach Robby Cutchins remarked after the game, “What a great effort. It has been a long week for us; our schedule is completely loaded at the top. We had Lakeland, Smithfield, Grassfield, obviously (Class 3, 4 and 6) schools. And what this does, it gives the kids that opportunity to learn from their mistakes. 

“That way, learning from their mistakes when we are in a tight situation down the stretch just like we were in the same situation with Lakeland, it was a mirror image tonight,” he continued. “In that mirror image in the last two minutes that we could not capitalize on in not being able to close the deal, tonight the kids were able to close the deal. 

“But hats off to Sussex, they were an extremely scrappy team and played well the whole game,” he added. “Kudos to them, but I am extremely happy for our kids.”

Franklin (1-4) was set for a showdown Tuesday, Dec. 17, with host Southampton High School (5-0) before beginning play in a Holiday Classic on Thursday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m. against visiting Nandua High School.