FRANKLIN—Franklin fell 55-53 to top-ranked Chesterfield on Tuesday.

“It was an up-and-down game as the Broncos’ incredible comeback came up short and fell to the top team in the Tri-Rivers District,” said Franklin Coach Danny Dillon. “Chesterfield Community has only dropped one game in the district, and the reason for that is of the six players they have that can score at any time.”

The Broncos came out with great intensity and were tied with Chesterfield at 14-all at the end of the first quarter.

“Chesterfield then caught fire and hit five, 3-pointers in the second quarter by three different players,” Dillon said. “Those threes were the difference in the game. We were in their face all night, but everything they shot was falling in.”

Franklin trailed 39-24 at the half.

“I told the boys to trust each other and keep being disciplined and run the plays, and we can get back into this ball game,” Dillon said.

Sophomore Marcus Stephens scored 11 of his 20 points in the third quarter to help tie the game at 45-all heading into the final quarter. The game went back and forth with Franklin down by 5 with 1:30 to go. After Chesterfield took a 2-point lead on foul shots, the Broncos got off two missed shots in the closing seconds.

“We just keep getting better and better,” Dillon said. “Being down as much as 18 points and coming all the way back is tremendous against one of the top teams in the state.”