Streak now at four wins for varsity Bulldogs hoops team

For the second time this season, Franklin County’s varsity boys basketball team rolled past North Pike, 72-49, on Thursday, Nov. 10, and improved to 4-0 on their hardwood campaign.

The Bulldogs overran the visiting Jaguars 15-10 in the first eight minutes of the game before going on a 19-6 tear in the second quarter to hold a 34-16 halftime advantage.

In the first period, FC’s Michael Covington, a starter, paced his team with a three-pointer, two field goals and went 1-of-2 from the free throw line for eight points.

Coming off the bench, Jamie Green also added a two-pointer while Quez Rancifer drained four free throws and starter Kentrez Bonds hit 1-of-4 from the charity stripe in the opening stanza.

The second quarter saw starters Daylen Thomas and Derrick Wilson both hit a pair of two-pointers with Jailan Hunt draining a field goal and connecting on 2-of-2 from the line.

In addition, Covington sank a shot from outside the arch while going 1-of-4 in free-throw shooting and Bonds hit a two-pointer.

Starter Kepatrick Nimox went 1-of-2 from the line in the eight minutes prior to intermission.

The Bulldogs picked up where they left off to start the second half by outpacing North Pike, 22-14, in the third period.

Wilson paced Franklin County in the frame with a three-pointer and two field goals with Covington and Bonds adding a pair of two-pointers each.

Also, Tyler Walton hit a trey as Hunt and Rancifer scored two points apiece.

The fourth quarter saw a reversal of fortunes as North Pike rallied late for a 19-16 run in the final eight minutes of the contest, which proved to be too little and too late as FC cleared the benches and cruised to the win.

Walton sank a three-pointer and was 1-of-2 from the line for the Dawgs to wrap up the affair while Nimox hit a two pointer and went 1-of-3 shooting free throws.

Also contributing to the FC offensive effort late were Reshon Baker with three points – a 3-of-4 effort from the line; Devin Coleman and Green with a field goal apiece; and Rancifer with two after hitting as many free throws.

In all, 11 of the 13 FC players suiting up for the game made their way onto the tally sheet with Covington leading with 16 points and Wilson finishing with 11.

Others chipping in for the victory and their points totals included: Rancifer, eight; Bonds, seven; Walton, seven; Hunt, six; Thomas, four; Green, four; Nimox, four; Baker, three; and Coleman, two.

In terms of free-throw shooting, FC was 17-of-33 (51.5 percent) on the night against North Pike with Rancifer going 6-of-6, Hunt hitting 2-of-2 and Baker sinking 3-of-4.

Walton finished 1-of-2 while Bonds was 1-of-4, Covington was 2-of-6 and Nimox was 2-of-7.

The Bulldogs previously defeated North Pike, 68-28, on Thursday, Nov. 4.

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UPCOMING GAMES

Franklin County was slated to host Tylertown on Tuesday, Nov. 15, but results were not available at press time. A summary of the contest will appear in next week’s edition of The Franklin Advocate.

Additionally, the junior varsity boys were slated to play their second game of the season against Tylertown on Tuesday with results also appearing next week.

On Thursday, Nov. 17, the Bulldogs were scheduled to travel to Loyd Star before the squad took a holiday hiatus.

After the break, FC will return to action on Tuesday, Nov. 29 on the road at McComb before traveling to face Brookhaven on Friday, Dec. 2.