WINDSOR—Franklin High School defeated Windsor High Tuesday night in a girls’ basketball game so lopsided that FHS Coach Mona Sumblin was apologetic afterward.

“I hate that the score was the way it was,” said Sumblin of the 109-37 rout. “We don’t do that. The girls were just hitting everything that they threw up, and some of them were literally throws, and they were just going in.”

The Lady Broncos returned home Wednesday night to take on Sussex in the game of the regular season, but lost 68-52. They improved to 13-6 overall and 7-3 in the Tri-Rivers District. The Franklin girls opened play late Thursday in the Tri-Rivers District tournament at Surry County High School. A victory would put them in tonight’s semifinals.

On Tuesday night, FHS led 33-10 at the end of the first quarter Tuesday and never looked back. Sumblin played her five starters together for only about five minutes of the game.

“It was hard,” said Sumblin, “because I don’t like to do that to any team that is not as strong. “

Franklin went into halftime with a 40-point advantage at 56-16.

The first half was dominated by Franklin’s speed and its being able to capitalize on steals, with every other possession resulting in a score off of a breakaway.

“I told them that every steal that they got tonight I want tomorrow night,” said Sumblin. “Every shot that they made tonight I want tomorrow night, because we play Sussex tomorrow night. “

The second half began with Mercedes Williams scoring a three-point shot, one of her four on the night. Franklin led 82-24 at the end of the third quarter.

The top scorer for Windsor was Whitney Searcy with 10 points.

Tiara Rogers was Franklin’s top scorer on the evening with 27 points, Williams added 16, and Shaletta Hicks added 15.

Going into the Tri-Rivers District tournament, Sumblin wants her team to be on top of its game.

“When we play our game, we are hard to contend with. We have the potential to go back to state, I believe. And what I want to carry from tonight into the tournament is chemistry. We have to all be clicking on the same five — not four, but five — cylinders.”