FRANKLIN—Franklin on Friday qualified for the region playoffs after defeating visiting Appomattox Regional Governor’s School 52-34.

The win was the Broncos’ sixth in the row. Franklin improved to 11-3 overall and 7-1 in the Tri-Rivers District.

“It’s a great win, and we know in order to make a state run, you have to make the playoffs and that’s just what we did,” said Bronco Coach Danny Dillon.

Tyshaun Lowe grabbed a season-high 23 rebounds while adding 20 points. Jalen Vincent and Adam Grant knock down 10 points. Finishing out the starters were Deronte Holmes and Marcus Stephens, who both added 6.

“Appomattox clearly had the Broncos in size, but Franklin’s skill and athleticism was the difference,” Dillon said. “The Broncos came out in man-to-man trap defense that completely took the Governor’s School off guard.”

Franklin’s five starters scored in the first quarter, which ended with the Broncos in a 14-8 lead.

Lowe scored nine points in the second quarter. Franklin went into the locker room at halftime up 30-14.

“We knew we were better than this team, but we have a tendency to play to the level of our competition,” Dillon said. “Tonight in the first half we separated ourselves early and were able to control the game.”

Franklin outscored Appomattox in the final two quarters and cruised to an 18-point win.

“It wasn’t the prettiest game ever, but Appomattox likes to slow the ball down, and we had to be really aggressive in order to change the tempo from a slow one to a fast one,” Dillon said.

The Broncos on Wednesday, Feb. 1, will travel to undefeated Surry. The Cougars are ranked eighth in the state.