The victorious Wildcats struggled from the line all night, making just 3 of 10 to start the game. That changed late, with the team converting 4 of 6 down the stretch.
“We’re a young group, and it’s been our Achilles tendon all year,” Franklin coach Brian Bales said. “Braxton Lawwill did what a senior is supposed to do. Our guys made plays when they had to, but we’ve got to make free throws in games like that.”
Monroe handed Franklin its first loss of the season Jan. 8, besting the Wildcats 51-49.
Both teams had early runs Friday, with Franklin jumping out to an 8-0 lead. Monroe responded with 11 straight points, finding a groove from the outside and hitting three 3-pointers. The Wildcats’ defense stiffened in the second, holding the Hornets to six points, all by senior Noah Kappers.
“Kappers was a stud in the middle,” Bales said. “I thought we did a better job in the second half taking him away.”
Franklin’s game plan called for a matchup zone, something the team had not played all year. Bales said they wanted to limit Monroe seniors Braden Hatton and Steve Donald, and they held the duo to seven and nine points, respectively.
“It hasn’t been the style of play for us, but going into Monroe, we have so much respect for them and their coach,” Bales said. “We thought change it to a matchup zone to really kind of contain their personnel.”
Franklin scored the last five points of the second quarter to take a 20-17 lead to the locker room.
Though Monroe consistently pulled close, Franklin never trailed again. Junior Noah Kremer and sophomore Ryan Montgomery led the Wildcats in scoring with 10 apiece. Kremer picked up his fourth foul with just over five minutes to go, forcing him to the bench.
Franklin slowed down the pace, spreading the floor and forcing Monroe to foul. That’s when Lawwill stepped up to the line.
“There’s really no pressure,” he said. “You just got to knock them down.”
Franklin improved to 13-3 overall and 6-2 in the Southwestern Buckeye League Southwestern Division. The Wildcats are alone in first place after Oakwood’s loss to Valley View on Friday.
FHS next faces Valley View at home on Tuesday, while the Hornets (10-8, 6-4) host Fenwick.
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