Bulldogs roll past Magee Trojans, 76-45; head to Saint Patrick for Elite Eight contest Saturday

Franklin County High School’s varsity boys basketball team officially made its way into the Elite Eight following two post-season wins this past week.

FC’s latest victory came on Saturday, Feb. 19 against Magee with the Bulldogs erupting for a 76-45 win over the Trojans, who came into the contest as the No. 3 seed from Class 3A District 6.

Magee had made the round-of-16 affair by downing Region 5 No. 2 seed Morton, 78-76, earlier last week.

The No. 1 seeded Bulldogs, who won the 7-3A regular season and related end-of-season tournament, claimed a 73-53 win over Region 8 No. 4 seed Jefferson Davis County at home on Tuesday, Feb. 15.

“I really can’t say enough about how our guys played during the past week,” Franklin County High School Head Basketball Coach Rickey Van O’Quinn said.

“They have put up some impressive numbers against quality teams, which I think says a lot about their resilience and determination in wanting to keep this run going.

“I also feel like we’ve been very physical — and not just in the post-season. This is a program that has won 13 of their last 14 games going back to the second half of the regular season. They feel like they have something to prove and are very focused on the mission at hand.”

The Bulldogs wound up outscoring the Trojans in every quarter of play – 17-12 in the first; 20-7 in the second; 22-12 in the third; and 17-14 in the fourth.

In the first eight minutes of the game, FC’s Daylen Thomas pounded in four field goals to help set the contest tempo.

In addition, Michael Covington drained a trey and sank a two-pointer and Kobe Marshall recorded a pair of field goals.

The second quarter saw more Dawgs’ domination with Thomas adding four more field goals — en route to scoring 16 first-half points — with Marshall and Craig Jackson both collecting single three-pointers.

Caleibria McDonald drained a pair of field goals before intermission and Amarion Wilson hit a two-pointer that helped put FC on top 37-19 at the break.

After the half, Franklin continued what it started and began pulling away from the visiting Trojans thanks to Thomas, Covington and McDonald each scoring six apiece — with Covington hitting his second trey in the series.

Marshall contributed a field goal and Derrick Wilson dropped in a pair of free throws to round out scoring in the third quarter.

With liberal substitutions down the stretch Saturday – as was the case in last Tuesday’s playoff game against Jefferson Davis County — the Dawgs saw pretty much every active player on the roster get in some playing time.

In the remaining eight minutes against Magee, FC’s Marshall, McDonald and Kentrez Bonds scored four each with Marshall hitting a two-pointer and two free throws while McDonald was credited with a pair of late field goals.

Thomas rounded out his offensive performance — which included a game-high 25 points — with a two-pointer and bonus shot while Jackson was 2-of-2 from the stripe.

Three other Franklin County players were in double figures with 14 for McDonald, 13 for Marshall and 11 for Covington.

Jackson ended his night with five points while Bonds added four and Amarion Wilson, who exited the game with an injury, along with Derrick Wilson finished with two each.

FC recorded 12 steals against the Trojans with Thomas having four of those while McDonald and Covington collected three each.

Marshall and Bonds both had one steal apiece.

Marshall also led the way in assists with six while Covington added four and Derrick Wilson had two.

McDonald, Thomas and Amarion Wilson had one assist apiece.

Also, McDonald finished his night with one block.

In terms of rebounds, FC pulled down 19 defensive boards with McDonald accounting for seven of those.

In addition, Derrick Wilson and Thomas chipped in four each, Covington added two and Marshall had one.

Thomas led the Dawgs with six offensive rebounds with McDonald recording two.

The Bulldogs ended the night 8-of-13 from the free throw line with Derrick Wilson and Jackson both 2-of-2; Thomas and Covington each 1-of-1; and Marshall wrapped up a 2-of-3 performance.

Franklin County will now travel to face off against Region 8 No. 1 seed Saint Patrick of Biloxi on Saturday, Feb. 26.