Panther women’s hoops have earned a signature win.
After an overtime loss to Pisgah Jan. 3, Franklin sought to get back on track the following week, with games versus North Henderson and Andrews. With a blowout win over North and a thrilling last-second win over Andrews, Franklin improved to 7-5 overall and 3-1 in the Mountain Seven Conference.
On Tuesday, Jan. 7, they hosted North on Tom Raby Court for a Mountain Seven game. Panthers came out firing to start the first, getting five points, an assist and a block from Layla Maloy. Payton Baty added five points of her own to end the quarter up 17-3.
Franklin kept their foot on the gas in the second, getting seven points apiece from Maloy and Katelyn Foster. Bristol Brooks capped an excellent defensive half with a block to put her team up 31-7 at the break.
Aubrey Haley heated up to start the third, racking up six points and a steal in its first four minutes. Foster added three points, two blocks and a steal to end the quarter up 51-16. Brooks added two assists and a steal in the fourth en route to a 62-21 win. The victory improved Franklin to 3-1 in the Mountain Seven, good for second place behind 3-0 Pisgah.
Two nights later the Panthers traveled to Andrews to rehash their 60-50 win over the Wildcats Nov. 30. Andrews shot out of the gate in the rematch, scoring the game’s first nine points including two 3-pointers. Despite two points, two assists and a steal from Brooks, Andrews ended the first quarter up 16-6.
Franklin regrouped to start the second, chipping away at Andrews’ lead with nine points and an assist from Brooks. On defense they held the Wildcats to just six points in the quarter, taking a 26-22 lead at the half.
McKenna Plemmons heated up to start the third, posting two 3-pointers and a steal. Baty added three more points and a steal of her own to end the quarter up 37-31.
Andrews refused to go quietly in the fourth, retaking the lead 52-50 despite eight points and two assists from Brooks.
With just seconds to play Franklin inbounded the ball from underneath its own basket, where Brooks found Baty open for a mid-range jump shot to tie the game. On the ensuing inbounds pass Brooks drew an Andrews foul, giving her team one last possession to win the game.
Seconds later Franklin missed a would-be game-winning shot, but Brooks grabbed the offensive rebound and drew another foul on a putback attempt. After missing her first free throw the freshman stayed cool under pressure, draining the second to take a 53-52 lead. Andrews only had time to inbound the ball before the final buzzer, and Franklin escaped with a win. The Panthers continued their season with a conference game versus West Henderson after press time Jan. 14.