FC boys down Cobras, Cats in 7-3A play

The Franklin County High School varsity boys’ basketball squad picked up two more 7-3A regional wins last week by downing Wesson, 74-36, and blasting Wilkinson County, 61-18.

The wins lifted the Bulldogs to 17-6 on the 2022-2023 hoops season, but most importantly to a 6-2 mark in district competition.

Franklin County had beaten both opponents earlier in the season — thumping Wesson, 74-22, on Tuesday, Jan. 10 and easing past Wilkinson County, 73-35, on Friday, Jan. 6.

FC 74, WESSON 36

On Friday, Jan. 27, the Bulldogs outpaced the Wesson Cobras on the road from start to finish and held a 45-22 halftime lead over the home team.

The Dawgs went on a 20-9 tear through the first eight minutes of the game and a 25-13 scoring spurt before intermission.

FC continued its offensive onslaught with a 29-14 run in the second half to seal the victory — with a 9-8 advantage in the third quarter and a 20-6 explosion in the fourth frame.

Twelve of Franklin County’s players found a place on the final tally sheet with Daylen Thomas pacing his team with 13 points.

Also finishing in double figures for the Dawgs were Derrick Wilson and Quez Rancifer with 11 each and Kentrez Bonds had 10.

Others contributing to the win and their points totals included: Michael Covington, six; Jamie Green, six; Jazavier Malone, five; Devin Coleman, four; Kepatrick Nimox, three; Tyrese O’Neal, two; Jailan Hunt, two; and Tyler Walton, one.

As a team, Franklin County was 14-of-29 (48.27 percent) from the free throw line against the Cobras with Bonds and O’Neal both going 2-of-2 in the game.

Thomas was 3-of-5 (60 percent) while Malone and Walton were both 1-of-2 (50 percent).

Rancifer finished his night by going 3-of-8 (37.5 percent) from the line.

Nimox and Covington each drained 1-of-4 (25 percent) in the effort.

FC 61, WILKINSON

COUNTY 18

In a game delayed one day due to severe weather, Franklin County traveled to Wilkinson County on Wednesday, Jan. 25 and took a convincing 61-18 win over the Wildcats.

The Bulldogs outscored the home team 19-6 in the first quarter, 20-9 in the second and 16-2 in the third.

FC went to the bench late and still overran the Wildcats, 5-1, in the fourth quarter.

Bonds led Franklin County with 17 points — with 11 of those coming in the first half and included a three pointer.

Covington also recorded 11 points in the first half including a trey and Wilson chipped in 10 with six of those coming after the mid-game break.

Additionally, Nimox and Thomas amassed six apiece in the win while Green wound up with three, Hunt, Rancifer and Reshon Baker recorded two each; and Coleman was credited with one.

The Bulldogs were 10-of-23 from the charity stripe against the Wildcats with Wilson draining 2-of-2.

Also, Bonds hit 2-of-3 (66.6 percent), Covington was 4-of-6 (66.6 percent), Coleman sank 1-of-2 (50 percent) and Green went 1-of-4 (25 percent).

Walton was 0-of-3, Thomas went 0-of-2 and Nimox finished 0-of-1 from the line.

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UPCOMING GAMES

The varsity Bulldogs were slated to take on Hazlehurst on the road Tuesday, Jan. 31, but results were not available at press time.

A recap of the contest will appear in next week’s edition of The Franklin Advocate.

Franklin County will end its regular hoops season on Friday, Feb. 3 with a contest at home against Jefferson County.

This will also be “Senior Night” where FC’s upperclassmen and their families will be honored prior to the start of the varsity boys’ game inside Bulldogs Gymnasium.

The following week, Franklin County will play host to the Class 3A District 7 regional tournament.