HOPE — Franklin took control of its game at Hauser on Saturday night by outscoring the home team 47-34 in the second half to claim a 79-64 win.
“Our defensive breakdown was what cost us tonight,” Hauser coach Griff Roth said. “The first half was 32-30, so we were in the game. We just need to get better on that end.”
The shooting of the Jets (3-3) and Grizzly Cubs (1-3) was hot. Both teams scored early and often, with 37 total points scored in the first quarter alone.
Hauser 6-foot-9 senior Alex Gross scored the first six points, but Franklin managed a 7-6 lead behind 6-3 senior Nate Sellers’ four points.
The Jets’ Justin Compton had back-to-back baskets for a 10-10 tie.
At the 3:05 mark, Compton hit a 3-pointer for the 15-12 lead. Hauser led 19-18 after on quarter.
Midway through the second quarter, Jets’ 5-9 guard Joe Sweet had a steal and layup for a 25-24 lead, However, the Grizzly Cubs’ Cory Richards had back-to-back baskets for a 28-25 lead. Richards then scored the final basket of the quarter to give his team a 32-30 halftime lead.
Richards scored 10 second quarter points and had 15 at the break. Gross had eight points for Hauser in the first quarter and had 11 at the break.
The Jets led 36-34 in the third quarter when Gross picked up his third foul. Blaine Wentzel started a 14-0 Franklin run that gave it a 48-36 lead.
Sam Meek added a three-point play to end the streak and cut the lead to 48-39. The Grizzly Cubs outscored Hauser 18-11 in the third quarter and took a 50-41 lead going into the final period.
Franklin’s Richards hit a reverse layup for a 57-44 lead. Richards was the catalyst in the fourth quarter to make the lead stand. He had 15 fourth quarter points to lead the way with 32.
“Richards did what he was supposed to do,” Franklin coach Brad Dickey said.
“He went to the spots he needed to go, and his teammates executed real well.”
Gross led the Jets (3-3) with 21.
“We didn’t shoot very well tonight,” Roth said. “The last game was 80 points (allowed), and tonight was 79, so we have to get better on that end.”
