FRANKLIN – In a recreation of runs, No. 15 Franklin (17-4) prevailed 62-50 over No. 18 Newton South (11-10) within the Division 1 state match opener for each ladies basketball squads.
Lizzy Newman led the best way with 19 factors and 11 rebounds for the double-double because the Panthers had 4 of their 5 starters in double digits in a balanced effort.
Newman had 12 of her factors come within the pivotal third quarter as Katie Peterson (15), Bridget Leo (12), and Chloe Fales (10) all contributed to carry off the Lions.
“It really opened up (in the third) and that’s the nice thing when you have multiple tall kids and you can move around. It opened up for everyone to do a little more,” stated Franklin head coach John Leighton.
Speaking of opening up, Franklin got here out roaring with an 11-0 run to begin the primary quarter after which had an 8-0 run to begin the second quarter. But some robust taking pictures within the first half allowed Newton South to hold round.
Maddy Genser, who’s headed to Colby subsequent season as a two-sport athlete, completed her excellent highschool profession with 19 factors for the Lions. Genser, who’s a 1,000-point scorer and Dual County League MVP, led Newton South with robust play on each ends, added six rebounds together with 5 assists, and saved issues shut on the halftime break, 24-23, regardless of the new begin from Franklin.
“Maddy had an insistence on doing it her way. This was a kid that was told she had to specialize in one of the two sports she is playing. Her decision to say, ‘No, I’m going to do it my way’ has been really important to our success,” stated Newton South head coach Joe Rodgers. “They executed better than we did in more situations and we did not shoot well from the free throw line so they deserve credit, they did what they needed to do to win the game.”
Peterson led the first-half effort for the Panthers with 11 factors to maintain Franklin out in entrance of the pack however Newman and senior captain Bridget Leo got here alive after the break.
Senior Tatum Murray (18 factors) hit a three-pointer to get the Lions again inside one, however after Leo scored on a runner within the paint, the senior captain discovered Newman inside on the following possession for the normal ‘and-one’ three-point play as Franklin prolonged the lead, 35-29, with 4:27 left within the third.
In the fourth, Fales took an offensive cost on Murray to swing the power again to Franklin once more. Leo snapped a three-pointer on the opposite finish to provide the Panthers the double-digit lead again, 52-42, halfway by means of the ultimate stanza and for the primary time because the opening 11-0 run in a recreation the Panthers by no means trailed.
Despite shaky taking pictures from the charity stripe for each groups all through, Franklin hit 8-of-9 from the free throw line down the stretch to maintain Newton South from getting again into the sport.
The five-time Kelley-Rex Division champions within the Hockomock League made the Round of 8 final season, however must face No.2 Bishop Feehan, 72-29 winners over Plymouth North, within the Round of 16 for Franklin to attempt to get again.
“The hoop seems a little smaller sometimes in the playoffs. Give (Newton South) credit, but I thought the foul shooting at the end was the key,” stated Leighton. “They tried to change the tempo of the game but we made enough shots in the end to win the game. Lizzie played a great game … I knew what she could give me and did a wonderful job in the second half.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com