FRANKLIN
After dropping the last game of the season to Division 2A Brunswick High School 67-49, the Franklin High School Broncos compiled an eight-win regular season.

For a team with a height disadvantage, head coach Robby Cutchins said the TriRivers District schedule has been tough.

Despite that challenge, however, the coach was thrilled that the Broncos earned a No. 3 seed to start the postseason with the VHSL 1A Conference 41 tournament. Franklin will begin the postseason by hosting Chincoteague High School on Wednesday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m. in the Peggy Wilkins Gym.

“This is what you play for as a player and this is what you coach for as a coach: The opportunity to put everything on the line in the postseason! I’ve stated it all year and I will continue to do so, but I couldn’t be any prouder of these young men for the time, effort and dedication that they have put into this season to put us in to this situation going in to the postseason,” Cutchins said.

He said the TriRivers District, despite having its challenges, has helped prepare the team. The district has also provided them with some additional power points, as the 1A school was able to notch wins against a 3A program, Southampton High School, as well as two 2A schools.

“Knowing that each and every game you’ve got to leave everything on the line during the regular season has made us conference contenders,” Cutchins said. “It has giving us the opportunity to host a home playoff game, which was one of our many goals from the start of the season. I know across the board we may be young, but as the season wears on that’s not something you think about as a coach.”

At times throughout the season due to illness and injury, Cutchins said the two guards running the show have both been freshmen, but it was exciting to see young players making big contributions.

“It’s been a collective effort from all of us across the board, from the players to the coaches,” he said, also thanking his assistant and JV coach James Holemom, who he said did a good job in his first year at the helm of the JV squad.

“So as coaches and players we are eagerly looking forward to this opportunity to make some noise and make a push deep into the postseason!”