FRANKLIN—With Appomattox Regional Governor School’s best player sitting on the bench with an ankle sprain, the Franklin High School girls’ basketball team took full advantage and throttled the Lady Dragons 66-39 in a Tri-Rivers District game Tuesday night.

Roslyn Presley, the Tri-Rivers District Player of the Year last season, injured her ankle in the Lady Dragons’ last game and was on crutches Tuesday night. Without its top player, ARGS committed a boatload of turnovers right from the beginning, and Franklin took advantage.

Franklin jumped out to an 18-9 lead in the first quarter and 34-18 at the half. Keshara Bradley scored 12 of her 17 points in the first half to pace the Lady Broncos (6-2, 1-0). With no threat in the second half, Franklin head coach Mona Sumblin was able to get her bench some experience. All but one player on the Franklin roster scored.

“We did some things right. There are some things we still need to work on, especially with my new people, but overall I was pleased,” Sumblin said.

Iesha Boone scored 14 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and had seven steals.

“She could have had more. She wasn’t doing the fundamentals and wasn’t squaring her body (during shots),” Sumblin said. “I told her at halftime, ‘If you square your body, your going to score 100 points.’ She hustles and she gives everything she has in every game.”

Kierra Lee also added 14 points for Franklin. Tamra Gore led the Lady Dragons with 23 points.

ARGS (7-3, 2-1) and Franklin were expected to battle at the top of the Tri-Rivers District this season. The teams will have a rematch in Petersburg on January 30, which could be important for playoff seedings.

“We will play different when we go there. We didn’t have to use the press tonight,” Sumblin said.

Franklin was scheduled to play at Surry County on Thursday night.