FC cagers sting Loyd Star Hornets prior to holiday break

by Sean Dunlap

Franklin County’s varsity basketball teams picked up their fifth wins of the season on Thursday, Nov. 18 by knocking off Loyd Star on the road — with the girls claiming a 60-51 victory and the boys rolling to a 66-44 showing.

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VARSITY GIRLS

FC 60, LOYD STAR 51

In a foul-filled affair that saw both teams go to the free-throw line a combined 58 times from start to finish, the visiting Lady Bulldogs finally pulled away in the fourth quarter to seal the win.

FC’s JaSharreah Hunt and JaKya Brown paced their team with a game-high 21 points each with teammates Niyla Wright chipping in nine, Harmoni Porter adding five, Rylei Turner contributing three and DeShara Hannon recording one point.

The Lady Dawgs finished 50 percent from the charity stripe with a 18-of-36 performance with Brown hitting 7-of-10 and Wright draining 3-of-5.

Hunt was 6-of-14 from the line with Hannon going 1-of-2 and Rylei Turner finishing 1-of-3.

FC outpaced the Lady Hornets 12-11 in the first frame, but the teams finished in a 12-all run in the second quarter with the Lady Dawgs leading by one — 24-23 — headed into the mid-game break.

Loyd Star held a 35-34 advantage at the end of the third quarter, but FC rallied late thanks to 10 points — three field goals and four free throws — by Brown down the stretch.

Loyd Star had two player score in double figures — Aubrey Britt led with 13 and Alyssa Leggett had 12.

The Lady Hornets were 16-of-24 from the free-throw line — a 66.6 percent performance, which helped to keep the game close for Loyd Star, especially in the fourth quarter.

This marked the second time this season that Franklin County has upended the Lady Hornets. On Tuesday, Nov. 2, the Lady Dawgs claimed a 58-44 win in Meadville.

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VARSITY BOYS

FC 60, LOYD STAR 44

Eleven of Franklin County’s 14 players on the roster finished last Thursday’s road game with points on the tally sheet.

The Bulldogs jumped out to an 18-4 first-quarter lead over the Hornets before the host team went on a 15-10 tear in the second quarter.

Leading 28-19 to start the second half, Franklin County padded its lead with a 17-9 offensive spurt in the third quarter and a 17-16 run in the final period to ice the victory.

The Dawgs’ Kobe Marshall led the effort with 14 points while teammate Micheal Covington added 12.

Others contributing to the win were Caleibria McDonald with nine, Derrick Wilson and Craig Jackson with six each, KePatrick Nimox with three and Iverson Hughes, Daylen Thomas, Jay Malone and Kentrez Bonds with two points each.

The Bulldogs were 4-of-6 from the free-throw line with Malone going 2-of-2 and Covington and Nimox both 1-of-2.
Loyd Star was led by Nathan Calcote, who had 12 points for the Hornets.

The host team was 12-of-18 from the charity stripe in the game.

In a home game played Tuesday, Nov. 2, Franklin County beat Loyd Star, 58-42.

The FC varsity hoops squads, which both sport similar 5-1 records, are set to return to action with a pair of home games in Meadville at the high school gym — on Tuesday, Nov. 30 against McComb and on Friday, Dec. 3 against Brookhaven.

The Dawgs will then battle Morton at home on Tuesday, Dec. 7.



Meadville Methodist Holy Week Luncheons