Boys Basketball: Franklin Lets Game Slip Away

In the battle for top spot in the Northern League, the Franklin boys basketball team lost in the final seconds at Wilson by a score of 66-64 on Wednesday.

Free throws were a huge factor in the game’s outcome. With two seconds left in the game and Franklin trailing 66-64, Panthers junior Zachary Hinton drew a shooting foul just inside the three-point line only to miss both of his free throws. The Panthers made only two free throws in five chances throughout the game.

Wilson, on the other hand, shot 95 percent from the line, going 19-for-20 from the charity stripe.

“That killed us,” said Franklin coach Robin Cardona of the Mules’ near perfect performance on the line. “They were able to get back into the game. We had control in the first half and if they didn’t shoot those free throws, I think it would’ve been a 20-point lead.”

The Panthers (9-15, 6-3 in the NL) came out strong in the first half and took a 41-31 lead into halftime. Guards Jeffery Morales and Joel Lemus led the way for the Panthers, each hitting three 3-pointers.

Hinton played a vital role as well, dominating in the key with four rebounds, two steals and 13 points in the half.

The second half was a different story, though, as Wilson (11-5, 7-2) clamped down on Hinton and hit clutch shots to put the game just out of reach of the Panthers.

“(Hinton) killed us last time,” Wilson coach Alfred Preciado said. “I think we did a pretty good job of containing him today. He’s so long and so athletic that it’s going to be hard to stop him, but I think we did enough so we didn’t have to focus so much on him and leave the shooters open because that’s what happened last time.”

Led by senior Jose Villa, Wilson powered through the second half, outscoring the Panthers 35-23. Villa led the Mules with 29 points in the game.

Junior Martin Vazquez added 18 points, and though senior center Raul Islas was held to six points, his eight rebounds helped as well.

“I think we started off really slow and we were very tentative but this team, I think they have in their mind a mission to finish first in the league,” Preciado said. “With that in mind, I think it drove them to get to the point where we eventually won the game.”

“We had a 10-point lead and we knew (Wilson) wasn’t going to quit,” Cardona said. “I think we just came out and took them lightly, threw the ball away and didn’t defend anybody. … We knew what they were going to do and we couldn’t stop them.”

Wilson plays at Marshall on Friday for the league championship.

“For us and this area and all of our alumni, (a league championship) would mean a lot,” Preciado said. “Our girls (basketball team has) been league champs the last six years and we just want some of that notoriety. … I think we’re destined to win it.”