Dawgs stay hot in 7-3A basketball race

Franklin County’s varsity boys basketball team collected two more 7-3A district wins last week — pushing their mark thus far to 3-1 against regional foes and to 14-4 overall on the current hoops season.

FC 32, HAZLEHURST 27

Despite the lack of a great deal of success in shooting from the field and stripe, Franklin County ultimately scratched its way to a 32-27 victory over the Hazlehurst Indians on Friday, Jan. 13 in Meadville.

The Bulldogs were a paltry 9-of-39 on two-point attempts, 1-of-7 on three-point tries and 11-of-30 from the free throw line.

FC outscored the Indians, 7-6, in the first quarter with the visiting team going on an 8-5 run in the second that put the Dawgs down by two going into the mid-game break.

After intermission, Franklin County outpaced Hazlehurst, 9-7, in the third to knot the game at 21-all.

The Dawgs gained the upper hand on an 11-6 scoring run in the final eight minutes of the affair.

Derrick Wilson paced the Bulldogs’ effort with 12 points, which included a three-pointer and two field goals after intermission. He was also 3-of-6 from the stripe in bonus-shot opportunities.

Additionally, Michael Covington chipped in nine points while Daylen Thomas contributed six and Kentrez Bonds added five in the victory.

Covington was 5-of-6 from the charity stripe while Bonds was 3-of-6.

Thomas led with way with seven rebounds, including five defensive boards, along with four blocks and three steals.

FC 74, WESSON 22

Franklin County scored early and often against the Wesson Cobras in claiming a 74-22 win on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at home.

The Dawgs tagged the visiting team for 50 points in the first 16 minutes of the outing while Wesson mustered only 11 in the same time frame.

After halftime, FC substituted liberally and tied Wesson, 9-all, in the third period before going on a 15-2 run in the fourth quarter.

Thirteen of FC’s 15 players were on the final tally sheet with Jailan Hunt scoring a team-high 11 points as eight of those came in the first quarter.

Wilson and Thomas tacked on nine apiece with the former draining a trio of first-half treys and the latter sinking three field goals and as many free throws before intermission.

Among those contributing to the win and their points totals included: Covington and Devin Coleman, seven each; Ja Norman and Jamie Green, six apiece; Reshon Baker, five; De’Quavious Norman and KePatrick Nimox, four each; and Jazavier Malone, two.

The Bulldogs were 8-of-12 from the free throw line against the Cobras with De’Quavious Norman hitting 2-of-2 and Covington connecting on 1-of-1.

Additionally, Thomas sank 3-of-5 and both Hunt and Coleman finished 1-of-2.