Broncos defeat Cavs in season opener

Published 3:00 pm Tuesday, December 6, 2022

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Franklin High School’s varsity boys basketball team opened its 2022-23 season Thursday, Dec. 1, by posting a 62-56 victory over visiting Lakeland High School.

At the Peggy H. Wilkins Gymnasium, the Broncos opened up a 16-11 lead in the first quarter. By halftime it had narrowed, but they remained up 26-24.

With 2:18 remaining in the third quarter, Franklin held a 41-27 advantage and seemed headed to an easy win. As the period ended, the Broncos were up 47-36, but the Cavaliers, not throwing in the towel, made a run at Franklin but ultimately could not overcome its lead before the final horn sounded.

The Broncos were led in scoring by senior point guard Derrick Perry with 21 points followed by junior center Chaevon Torrance with 16 points.

For the Cavaliers, senior Kyliefe Copeland was the only player in double figures, scoring 22 points.

After the game, Franklin Head Coach Robby Cutchins said, “This game was just an overall team effort. I was most impressed with our hustle. I mean, at the end of the day, we made some mistakes, and we made some of them going down the stretch that kept them in the basketball game when we had a chance to put them away. 

“But that is not taking anything from Lakeland, because they really got active and scrappy,” Cutchins continued. “They are very well coached, as Coach (Clint) Wright does a phenomenal job with his basketball team. 

“We knew it was going to be a tough test for us as we get three tough ones out of the gate, and we knew we would find out what we are made of. But all in all that is a good way to start the season, so now it is on to the next one.”

The Broncos proved victorious in that next game as well, beating host Greensville County High School 49-42 on Monday evening, Dec. 5.

Franklin (2-0) visits Brunswick High School on Wednesday, Dec. 7, with tipoff set for 7 p.m.