School board honors O'Quinn, FC hoops programs

Franklin County’s Board of Education formally honored Bulldogs’ Head Basketball Coach Rickey Van O’Quinn, his assistants and the 2021-2022 teams for their respective season runs and accomplishments during ceremonies held Tuesday, April 19.

The presentation took place at the beginning of the board’s monthly business meeting in Meadville.

Superintendent of Education Chris Kent said he and the school board wanted to recognize the Franklin County High School hoops programs for their successes on the hardwood during their most-recent campaigns.

O’Quinn was presented with a certificate from the panel marking his being named by his peers as “Coach of the Year” for both the girls’ and boys’ teams in District 7-3A.

A second recognition was presented to the entire FCHS coaching staff and all players for their accomplishments, including this year’s District 7 girls’ and boys’ championships; as girls’ state semifinals (Final Four) participants; and as boys’ state quarterfinals (Elite Eight) participants.

The Lady Bulldogs, led by O’Quinn and Assistant Coach Ashley Weathersby, recorded an impressive 26-5 season mark, which included an unblemished 10-0 run through district competition.

The squad breezed past both Wilkinson County and Wesson in the post-season regional tournament played in Woodville and entered state-level competition as a No. 1 seed from District 7.

In the 3A playoffs, Franklin County upended Saint Patrick, 58-54; beat Forest, 51-32; and also downed Tylertown, 52-37, in the Elite Eight round of girls’ post-season play.

In the Final Four game played at the Mississippi Coliseum — also known as “the Big House” — in Jackson, the Lady Dawgs dropped a 45-30 heartbreaker to eventual 3A state champion Booneville on March 2.

The girls basketball team did not drop a decision beginning Tuesday, Dec. 14 with a win over Lawrence County on the road until the state semifinals contest played in early March.

The Bulldogs’ varsity boys, led by O’Quinn and Assistant Coach Jarvis Hunt, compiled a 23-6 season record and had an 11-1 mark in 7-3A district competition during the campaign.

Streaks proved to be the name of the game for the Dawgs, who won seven-straight between Nov. 11 and Dec. 14, and nine-in-a-row from Jan. 18 through Feb. 22.

In 3A state-level post-season play, FC beat Jefferson Davis County, 73-53, and blew past Magee, 76-45.

In the Elite Eight round of competition, Saint Patrick of Biloxi ended the Dawgs’ run and the local team’s final winning streak with a 55-49 victory in late February.

Assistant Coach Wesley Hines was also part of this year’s hoops programs helping with both basketball teams.