Franklin Co. takes care of Hazlehurst

Published 6:00 am Wednesday, February 9, 2005

MEADVILLE — Like most coaches, Franklin County general ChrisJordan always preaches for his team to take one step at a time.Tuesday night, Jordan’s Bulldogs took a huge step by claiming theirfirst outright division title, since 2001 with a dramatic 57-55victory over rival Hazlehurst in Bulldog arena.

In the girls game, Victoria Hunt pumped in a game-high 30 pointsfor the Lady Bulldogs to complete the sweep of the visitors with a72-59 win.

The Bulldogs (17-6, 10-1) started the game offsluggish, falling behind 14-11 after one quarter of play.Hazlehurst (13-15, 8-3) led 28-25 at intermission.

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“We played pretty good in the first half,” said first-yearHazlehurst Indians coach Robert McDaniel Jr. “Our defense playedwell.”

McDaniel watched his Indians stretch their lead to 44-37 afterthree quarters of play, before Franklin County caught fire. TheBulldogs scored 20-points in the final frame, with eight coming inthe last 1:01.

“They made some big shots, and a big free throw down thestretch,” added McDaniel.

Franklin used the hot hands of senior guards Jonathan Brooks andDeandrea Cameron to knock down treys in the last minute. 6-4 juniorforward Wesley Brown hit the front end of a one-and-one free throwattempt with 0:09 remaining to overwhelm the Indians. Hazlehurstwatched a last second opportunity at a tie slip away.

“We’ll see them again, I promise you,” continued McDaniel, aboutpossibly playing the Bulldogs next week in the Division 7-3ATournament at Jefferson County. “We could possibly play them in thesecond round of the tournament.”

With the win, Franklin County increased its winning streak to10-games. They also clinched a playoff spot into the first round ofClass 3A South State playoffs.

Offensively, the Bulldogs were led by senior power forwardDeAndre Davis with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Brown added 14 pointsand 11 boards. Brooks dished out nine points and five assists.

For the Indians, Darryl Hillard led the tribe with 16 points.Junior post Johnny Sanders added 12 points and 10 boards.

The Lady Bulldogs (18-6, 8-3) had revenge ontheir minds, after dropping an earlier loss at Hazlehurst two weeksago. Franklin roared out to a 21-14 lead after one quarter of play,and continued their dominance into halftime, leading 35-23.

In the second half, the Lady Bulldogs put everything on cruisecontrol, taking a 52-39 lead into the final frame. The LadyBulldogs and Lady Indians each traded 20-point outbursts in thefourth quarter.

The Lady Bulldogs’ win pushed them, Hazlehurst, and Port Gibsoninto a three-way tie for second place. Hazlehurst hosts Port GibsonFriday night. Franklin will entertain district foe AmiteCounty.

Besides Hunt’s 30-point night, Franklin was aided by 10 pointsfrom freshmen Shareka Hunt. Junior Kayla Smith added nine points,while Shalenia Wilcher and Tamera Gant chipped in with seven pointsapiece.

For the Lady Indians (16-12, 8-3) were led by Jalissa Sandiferwho finished with 20 points. Sheba Smith added 15 points, whileYashunda Williams netted 13.