Lady Dawgs smother Enterprise, 52-36, in first round of Class 3A hoops playoffs

Franklin County’s Lady Bulldogs varsity basketball team opened Class 3A post-season, state-level play at home on Monday, Feb. 13 with a 52-36 victory over Enterprise High School of Clarke County.

The round-of-32 win lifted FC, which is the No. 1-seeded team from District 7, to a 21-7 overall campaign mark on the 2022-2023 basketball season.

The Lady Bulldogs controlled the tempo of Monday’s game — pretty much from start to finish — as Franklin County held a 15-9 advantage by the end of the first quarter and led 25-13 at the mid-game break.

The second half saw FC’s offense continue to control the effort with runs of 12-9 in the third frame and 15-14 in the final eight minutes of the affair.

Ja’Kya Brown had a game-high 20 points for FC — with all but four of those coming in the second half of the game.

Additionally, she finished 3-of-4 (75 percent) from the charity stripe.

Niyla Wright had a strong night under the rim with 12 points generated on four field goals and a 4-of-7 (57.1 percent) effort from the free throw line.

Also on the final tally sheet was DeAsia Buie, who accounted for nine points, while Harmoni Porter finished with seven and Kennedy Washington chipped in two.

Buie was also 1-of-2 (50 percent) in terms of bonus shooting.

Enterprise, the No. 4-seeded program from District 5, was led by Emily Hill, who finished with a team-high 13 points.

The win gave Franklin County the chance to return to hardwood action on Friday, Feb. 17 at home in the Sweet 16 round against Crystal Springs, the No. 2-seed from District 6.

The District 8 No. 3-seeded Tylertown Lady Chiefs fell to Crystal Springs, 44-39, on Monday night.

The winner of Friday’s second-round contest between FC and Crystal Springs would then travel to Clinton High School for a quarterfinal game at 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25 against the winner of this weekend’s game between 5-3A No. 1-seed Morton and 8-3A No. 2-seed Saint Patrick.