Panther men’s basketball has earned a season-opening win.
On Nov. 26 the team played their first official game, traveling to Cherokee for a clash with the talented Braves. In a thrilling come-from-behind victory, Franklin tipped off their regular season on the right foot.
Franklin had a difficult first quarter shooting-wise, with four points from Noah Brannon serving as their main source of offense. Facing his former team on their home floor, offseason transfer Jack Teesateskie added two points and an assist to end the period down 11-6.
After having a would-be basket waived off at the first-quarter buzzer, senior Braylen Dezarn stayed hot into the second, posting two points and an assist to tie the game at 13. Sophomore Lance Parker added three points and an assist, but Cherokee ended the half up 27-19.
Senior Noah Brannon sparked Franklin’s offense after the break, slipping past a defender on the baseline for a slam dunk. Energized by Brannon’s jam the Panthers began to erase their deficit, getting 15 points and three steals combined from Teesateskie and Max McClure. This time a Dezarn 3-pointer beat the buzzer to end the third quarter tied at 44.
Brannon made his second key play of the game in the fourth, drawing a shooting foul after a steal and would-be assist from Dezarn. The Brave offender took issue with the call and received a technical foul, and Franklin sank four free throws to go up 52-45. From there Franklin held Cherokee in check through the last six minutes, getting four points apiece from Dezarn and Teesateskie to win 62-54.
Following the win over Cherokee, the Panthers returned to Tom Raby Court for a nonconference game with Andrews Nov. 30. The Press will report on that game’s result in next week’s edition.