WEST POINT-The Franklin High School girls' basketball team set one goal for itself at the beginning of the season: Reach the Group A state tournament.

That goal was accomplished Thursday night with an 80-56 win over Charles City in the Group A, Division 1 regional semifinal.

Franklin led 42-21 at the half, but Charles City scored the final eight baskets of the second quarter to keep the game from becoming a blowout earlier.

&uot;We play it to the end,&uot; said Coach Mona Sumblin, whose Lady Broncos are now 21-1 overall. &uot;We never let up. You can’t.&uot;

Thursday’s win puts FHS in the regional final Saturday at 6 p.m. at Surry High School. The opponent was to be determined in the second game Thursday night.

The regional finalists automatically advance to the quarterfinal of the state playoffs starting on March 8, but the regional winner could play the next round closer to home.

&uot;That’s what we’re looking for,&uot; Sumblin said.

While both teams started cold on a chilly night – neither team scored for the first two minutes – Franklin jumped out to a 14-2 lead.

&uot;Both teams were tight,&uot; Sumblin said.

The game appeared to get out of reach late in the second quarter until Charles City got on its run.

It was the third Franklin win over Charles City this year.

&uot;We do what we do,&uot; Sumblin said.

&uot;Normally, what we do is shut down their point guard,&uot; Sumblin added.

The Lady Broncos led 64-32 after three quarters.

Keshara Bradley led the Lady Broncos with 19 points, while Kiara Lee, Janice Holemon and Ashley Putnam each recorded double-doubles. Each player scored 13 points. Putnam grabbed 15 rebounds, Holemon added 14 rebounds and Lee had 10, which contributed to a huge rebounding advantage for Franklin.

&uot;We knew we had that advantage,&uot; Sumblin said.