Panther men’s hoops season is at an end.
Following the Mountain Eight Conference Tournament, on Feb. 26 the team tipped off the 5A state playoffs, hosting Crest (Shelby) on Tom Raby Court. With a six-point loss, Franklin was eliminated from title contention.
With an overall record of 21-5, Franklin entered the playoffs as the 5A West’s #6 seed, earning a first-round bye Feb. 24. They hosted #11 Crest in Round 2, following a first-round Charger win over North Gaston.
Franklin played at a breakneck pace in the first, led by nine points, an assist and a steal from Jack Teesateskie. Crest kept pace on the other end however, finishing the quarter down just 19-17.
Crest’s defense harassed Franklin in the second, holding them to just four points in the quarter. The Chargers took advantage on the other end, finishing the half up 33-23.
Franklin regrouped after the break, getting six points apiece from Teesateskie and Peyton Hervey. Gunner McConnell added four points and a steal to end the quarter down 45-39.
Franklin continued their comeback attempt in the fourth, getting seven points apiece from Teesateskie and Lance Parker. Will Rauers added six points and two assists, but Crest went on to win 65-59.
The loss ended Franklin’s year with a record of 21-6, including a 12-2 regular season in the Mountain Eight, for which they shared the conference title with East Henderson. The campaign was the Panthers’ fourth 20-win season of the last five years.
“I don’t think we’ve got anything to hang our heads over,” said longtime head coach Doug Plemmons after the game. “I think this year our conference was probably as strong, especially at the top with the top five teams, as it’s been maybe since I can remember. Every team had 17, 18, 20-something wins and it was really stacked up at the top, so to go 12-2 in this year’s conference I think is something that bears to be noticed.”
“Looking forward, I think our program’s in good shape. We return three starters next year, and then we’ve got some guys that played some good minutes for us off the bench this year. And then of course we’ve got a championship JV team with sophomores moving up, so I don’t expect to slide back.”