FRANKLIN— It was the first match-up between the Lady Broncos and the Lady Indians for the 2007-08 basketball season.

The Franklin High School gym was packed to near capacity Tuesday as the two rivals tipped off the game.

Both teams started slowly, missing key shots and committing some turnovers.

But Franklin pulled out a pair of victories before the night was over: a 51-46 in the varsity game and a 29-27 win in junior varsity action.

The first quarter ended with the score at 11-all. The score stayed tight during the second quarter with the Broncos holding a slight led by only a few points. As the second quarter ended the teams went to their locker rooms with the Broncos holding a 25- 23 led.

The Indians went ahead for their last time in the game as Randa Jessee scored a basket to give the Indians a 27-25 led. Shanika Carter went to work for the Broncos in the third quarter hitting 12 points to push the Broncos led to 41-38 at the end of the quarter.

The Indians continued to push the ball up the court during the final quarter but could not connect to score. Indian coach Aronda Bell remarked after the game that her team missed many shots and were 11 for 19 at the foul line. The Broncos opened the score to their biggest led 51-44 with 2:04 remaining in the game.

Franklin Coach Mona Sumblin again was pleased with her team’s play.

“We’ve got a solid squad,” she said after the game.

Timia Hobbs and Carter led the way for the Lady Broncos with 16 points each. Carter scored 12 of her 16 points in the third quarter to put Franklin ahead for good. Keshara Bradley had her first double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Janice Holeman had 17 rebounds and 5 points in the win. Eboney Joyner added 4 points.

The Lady Indians saw three players in double figures with Anita Ricks leading the way with 13. Samantha Urquhart added 11 and Regina Artis 10. Other scorers for Southampton were Jessee with 8 and Michelle Lewis with 4.

Valtonia Shaw led Franklin in the JV game with 8 points and 15 rebounds. Victoria Barrett also scored 8 points, followed by Tiara Rogers with 6, Tanisha Freeman, 4 and Mercedes Williams, 3. Scorers for SHS were Ronnie Powell with 9; Jalisa Joyner, 8, Beth Waller, 6, and Amber Carlton 4.

Both of Franklin’s teams are 4-0.