Panther men’s hoops have earned their first conference win.
After routing North Buncombe and Cherokee at home to start the year, on the week of Dec. 8 Franklin embarked on a three-game road trip, traveling to Swain County, North Buncombe and East Henderson. With two more wins over Swain and reigning Mountain Eight champion East, the Panthers tipped off their conference schedule 1-0.
On Dec. 8, the Panthers traveled to Swain for a nonconference game. There Franklin fell on the Maroon Devils early, getting 11 points, two assists and a steal from Jack Teesateskie. Lance Parker and Will Rauers added 10 points apiece to end the first quarter with a massive 40-10 lead.
Parker stayed hot in the second, adding seven points, two assists and a steal in its first few minutes. Franklin’s second unit took the court midway through the quarter, ending the half up 64-23.
Up by more than 40, the Panthers triggered the state’s running clock rule for the third quarter, getting four points, two assists and a steal from Teesateskie. Franklin’s second unit retook the court for the fourth, getting five points, a steal and an assist from Paxton Sutton to close out a 90-47 rout.
The next night the Panthers traveled to North Buncombe to rehash their earlier 39-point win. Once again Franklin came out firing in the rematch, getting 10 points from Gunner McConnell in the first. Teesateskie added nine more to end the quarter up 26-13.
Rauers heated up in the second, scoring Franklin’s first nine points of the quarter. North Buncombe kicked into gear however, ending the half down 43-38.
The Black Hawks stayed hot after the break, continuing to chip away at Franklin’s lead. Despite four points and a steal from Peyton Hervey, Franklin ended the quarter down 62-58. North Buncombe held the Panthers at bay in the fourth, winning 88-78.
After falling victim to North Buncombe’s quest for revenge, three nights later Franklin sought some revenge of their own, traveling to East Henderson for their first Mountain Eight Conference game. Entering the rematch of last year’s Mountain Seven Conference final, the Panthers had not beaten the Eagles since 2023.
Rauers and Teesateskie shot out of the gate in the first, combining for 18 points, three steals and one assist. Franklin ended the quarter with a 22-16 lead.
Parker frustrated East on defense in the second, posting a steal, a block and four points on the other end. Hervey added a steal and three assists to end the half up 37-29.
Teesateskie stayed hot after the break, racking up four assists, two steals and four points. Hervey added six points to maintain a nine-point lead.
Down 53-44, East attempted a comeback in the fourth, scoring eight of its first 12 points to cut their deficit to five. Teesateskie stayed cool under pressure however, posting six points, two assists and a steal to win 64-57.
The victory improved Franklin’s record to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the Mountain Eight. They returned home to continue their conference schedule with Brevard after press time Dec. 16.