WEST POINT—The Franklin High School boys’ basketball team at 7 p.m. today, Feb. 22, will host West Point in the first round of the regional tournament.

“West Point is a strong team and they have a number of threats,” said Franklin Coach Danny Dillon. “Every coach that I’ve talked to said it is one of the toughest places to play because of the atmosphere in the gym. We’d love to see Franklin fans come and change the atmosphere for the mighty Broncos.”

In action from the Tri-Rivers District Tournament, the Broncos lost 84-81 to Charles City in the semifinals, despite Tyshaun Lowe’s career-high 32 points.

Franklin led 18-17 at the end of the first quarter and was up 35-30 when Broncos Deronte Holmes and Lowe got into foul trouble. Charles City led 45-36 at the half.

“We came out in control and did what we wanted,” Dillon said. “Bottom line is when we get into foul trouble, we are not the same team. Tyshaun Lowe has averaged 20 points a game and 17 rebounds, and when he is on the bench, we struggle.”

Charles City maintained an 8- to 10-point lead throughout the third quarter and was up 59-49 heading into the fourth quarter.

“We tried running our 1-3-1 half-court trap in the fourth, and we kept cutting into the lead and would get it within four to six points, but could never knock down the big shots to close out the deal,” he said.

“It was a good test for us heading into the regionals,” Dillon continued. “We did not play our best basketball, and were slack on the small things such as boxing out and being strong and smart with the basketball.”

Jalen Vincent scored 16 points for Franklin and Adam Grant added 14.

Charles City’s Devon Harris led all scorers with 33 points.