By Shane Scoggins
Publisher
Winter weather will mean an adjustment in the Region 8AA schedule for the Franklin County Lion and Lady Lion basketball teams this week.
Ice and freezing temperatures closed Franklin County Schools to students Monday through Thursday of this week, meaning a scheduled home match up with Hebron Christian Academy Tuesday will be pushed back to next week in The Lions’ Den.
The Lions and Lady Lions are still set to travel to Toccoa Friday for another 8AA matchup.
Franklin’s teams are now scheduled to host Hebron Feb. 4 beginning with the girls’ game at 6 p.m., followed by the boys’ contest at 7:30 p.m.
The boys’ game will be a key one in the Region 8AA standings.
Hebron’s boys come into the game as the top teams in the region with a perfect 4-0 record.
Franklin is currently second with a 3-1 8AA record.
Hebron’s girls, 18-1 overall, come in as the consensus No. 1-ranked team among Class A-AAA private schools.
Hebron also leads the 8AA standings with a 4-0 record.
Franklin County comes into the game third place in 8AA with a 3-1 record. The team is 7-12 overall.
On Friday, both Franklin teams will play Stephens County at Toccoa. The girls’ game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.
Stephens County’s boys are 4-15 overall and 1-3 in 8AA.
The Lions defeated the Indians 81-57 Jan. 13 in Carnesville.
The Lady Indians are also 1-3 in 8AA and 7-11 overall. Franklin defeated Stephens 55-47 Jan. 13 in Carnesville.
Both Franklin teams will go into Friday's region contests off of victories.
The Lions defeated East Jackson 79-63 Thursday in Commerce to improve to 12-7 overall this season.
The two teams opened the game going almost shot-for-shot. Midway through the first quarter, the game was tied 15-15.
Franklin went on an 8-2 run to end the quarter to take a 23-17 lead into the second quarter.
The Lions pulled away some in the second quarter, ending the half with a 42-32 advantage.
The teams again traded baskets early in third quarter, but Franklin County never lost its advantage and went on to victory.
Coach Jason Shaver said he was proud of his team’s effort, though the Lions will need to improve their defense going forward.
The coach commended the play of Hudson Huff, who led the team with 30 points, making four three-pointers in the game.
Shaver said Huff was very efficient in the game.
But the coach said Bentley Huff, Jeremiah Mayfield, Nava Ware, Jordan Ardister, Drake Nix and Sam Shaver also had strong games for the Lions.
Bentley Huff finished with 19 points; Sam Shaver with nine; Ware with six; Mayfield, Ardister and Nix with four apiece; Kennan Burtch with two and Deegan Human with one.
The Lady Lions defeated East Jackson 58-36 Thursday in Commerce.
Franklin opened the game with a 10-0 run and led 16-4 after the first quarter.
The Lady Lions extended the lead to as much as 24 in the second half.
Eight Franklin County players scored in the game, and the team made nine total three-pointers.
Nykhia Johnson led Franklin County with 15 points. Zy Merritt added 11 and Avery Burton 10.
Bella Rosene contributed eight points, Elizabeth Stratton five, Kallie Thrift four, Jyhia Sturghill three and Chloe McFarlin two.
Johnson and Merritt each made three three-pointers in the game, with Rosene adding two and Stratton one.
Coach Chad Bridges said he felt his team played with more energy in the second half of the game, particularly in the third quarter when Franklin scored 25 points.
Following Friday’s games in Toccoa, the Lions and Lady Lions will travel to Athens Tuesday to face Prince Avenue Christian. The girls’ game will tipoff at 6 p.m.