Fannin Falls to Franklin

The Fannin County High School Lady Rebels and Rebels basketball teams hosted new Region 7-AAA member Franklin. Both Rebel squads came into the game at 3-2; unfortunately Fannin fell to .500 in both contests, with the Lady Rebels going down 64-59, and the Rebels falling 46-37.In the girls’ game the Lady Rebels drew first blood when Kayla Chancey found Stephanie Tatum under the basket and Tatum hit an open layup. The Lady quickly tied the game; however Lacey Walden hit two free throws to put Fannin in front 4-2. Molly Chandler hit a three to push the lead to 7-2 with just over four minutes left in the first.

The Lady Lions roared back with a 13-2 quarter closing run, aided by a Franklin’s ferocious full court press that found Franklin in front of Fannin, after the first, 15-9. A Lindsey Humphrey jumper cut the lead to 15-11. Humphrey then cut the lead to the two, 15-13, with a coast to coast layup. Walden tied the game with a jumper with just under four minutes left in the first half.

Both teams battled back and forth trading ties and lead changes until a McKenzie McClure layup ended the half with the Lady Rebels leading the Lady Lions 25-22.

The third quarter saw the Lady Lions looking to pounce, as Franklin kept the pressure on the Fannin literally and figuratively, using the aforementioned press defense to keep the game close. Franklin finally tied the game at 34-34 with 2:40 left in the third. Lady Rebels head coach, Suzianne Pass, called a time out.

While there were no camels on the court, the middle quarter belonged to Lindsey Humphrey as she declared, “Humph Day,” scoring eight straight points, putting Fannin up 42-34. Fannin closed out the quarter with a five point, 46-41, lead.

The Fourth quarter belonged to Franklin as the Lady Lions outscored the Lady Rebels by ten, 23-13 to take the five point 64-59 win.

Humphrey led with 20 points. Walden, and Chandler each had 11.

The Rebels’ game began with the Lions scoring first, via two free throws. Andrew Ladd tied the game with a layup, however, the Lions outscored the Rebels 15-3 thorough the end of the quarter to take a 17-5.

The Rebels started chipping into the lead when Will Holloway found Daniel Lange for an open three, and continued to whittle the lead down until Fannin closed out the half, down six, 26-20.

Logan Holt cut the led to three, 23-26, with a three that opened the third quarter; however, the Lions outscored the Rebels 11-6 from that point on to take a 37-29 lead into the fourth.

The defensive effort from both teams continued as neither team scored in double digits in the last period; however, the Lions’ defense won out securing the 46-37 Franklin lead.

Holloway led the Rebels with 16 points, while Ladd was second with 10. Holt was third with five points.

Fannin next faces Lumpkin County on Friday December 12th.