With their gymnasium floor in shambles, the Franklin CountyBulldogs have become road warriors. They enjoyed the confines ofWest Lincoln’s Jack Case Gymnasium Tuesday night, whipping theBears 58-37 and handing the hosts their first loss of theseason.

In the varsity girls game, Franklin County smashed West Lincoln60-34, led by Victoria Hunt and Shareka Hunt with 18 and 14 pointsrespectively.

A water leak in the Franklin County gym’s roof severely warpedthe hardwood floor back in September. Repairing the roof first andthen replacing the floor are major obstacles that Franklin Countycoaches Chris Jordan and Charles Moore are having to deal with.

“Everybody’s gym is our home gym,” said Jordan. “We need a wholenew floor in our gym. We can practice on half of it, but it’s hardto get enough shooting in. We went to the old gym during theholidays and did some shooting.”

Jordan said his boys have adapted well to the difficultsituation. “Our kids like to ride the bus.”

Senior center Marcus Tillman, a muscular 6-foot-5, 260-poundtower of power, has made a verbal commitment to sign a footballscholarship with LSU in early February, 2006. He accounted for 12points and 11 rebounds last night.

“Basketball is fun. I get the ball a lot,” said Tillman. “It’stough playing on the road, but I like road games because we get toride the bus and eat out. Tonight, the coaches told us there’s noplace for us to stop between here and Meadville.”

Instead, the stronger, taller, faster Bulldogs feasted on theBears. Class 3A state tournament runners-up last season, theyavenged a 57-53 overtime loss to West Lincoln in their seasonopener two weeks ago.

Powering the victory was 6-5 senior forward Wesley Brown with 22points and 11 rebounds.

Jordan is missing four of his starters from last season’sstandout squad. They overcame 21 turnovers last night.

“We don’t pass and catch the ball very well right now,” saidJordan. “We are more athletic than West Lincoln. We will face teamsin our district who are just as athletic as we are.”

Jordan’s team (1-2) plays at Wilkinson County in Woodville nextTuesday.

West Lincoln (4-1) couldn’t match up with the Bulldogs. GuardShane Lynch led the Bears with 15 points. Stephen Jones had 8rebounds. Center Bradleigh Rice fouled out with 5:17 left in thegame and the Bears trailing by 20 points, 48-28.

The Bulldogs led 30-19 at halftime, sparked by Brown’s 15points. They outrebounded the Bears 8-1 in the first quarter and14-4 in the first half.

“We got behind early and couldn’t play catch-up,” said WestLincoln coach Lane Young. “Franklin County’s defense was extremelyphysical. Some of Coach Jordan’s players are just getting theirlegs back after football. Tillman and Wesley Brown are big andquick.”

The Lady Bulldogs (3-0) romped to a 23-15halftime lead. Shalena Wilcher dished out 9 assists in thevictory.

“Wilcher is leading us well,” said Coach Moore. “She averagedeight assists a game.”

Shareka Hunt collected 8 rebounds. Kala Smith had 10 points and5 rebounds.

“We are still having problems scoring, and Franklin County has agood defense, ” said Young. “We are not playing with enoughheart.”

The Lady Bears (1-4) got 16 points from senior guard Erica Shaw,but they struggled with 21 turnovers. Candy Herring added 8 pointsand 5 rebounds.

Young said that Thursday’s home game with Mt. Olive has beencanceled. West Lincoln plays at North Pike Friday night, startingwith a JV girls game at 5.

Junior Varsity Results

In the JV girls game, Franklin County whipped the Lady Bears55-19, led by Monea Cameron’s 19 points. Vanity Green had 10 pointsand Brianna Hunt 7.

West Lincoln got 8 points from Kayla Moak and 4 from MeaganNeal.