FRANKLIN DOMINANT IN JR. LADY BEARCAT WIN

The Booneville Junior High Lady Bearcats got a dominating performance from Raylynn Franklin to pick up their first win of the year 36-23 at Atkins Thursday in the opener of a four game set.

Franklin had 18 points, 16 rebounds, and a pair of fourth quarter steals while the Lady Bearcats were putting the game away.

Atkins was within 26-20 with just under four minutes to play when Franklin took a pass from Makainley Ensey and converted to push the lead back to three scores.

Ensey had a big fourth quarter herself adding five points to the assist and, after Atkins got within seven, a 3 to make it 33-23 with just under two minutes to play. She finished with seven points.

With a couple of Chloe Walker baskets in the opening quarter the Lady Bearcats led throughout though Atkins was within 14-6 in the second quarter.

Franklin then sandwiched a couple of baskets around an Atkins score to make it 16-8 at the half.

Franklin started her 14-point second half with a basket to make it a nine point lead and after Atkins cut it to 18-14 scored again to push it to 20-14.

Another late third quarter score made it 23-14 but a 3 at the buzzer cut it to 23-17 going to the fourth.

Haylee Taylor also scored seven for the Lady Bearcats.

Boys

The Bearcats fell down 9-0 in the early going but were able to recover, eventually tying the game at 17-17 on a basket by Ayden Hill just over two minutes into the second half.

However, the Red Devils scored the next nine points and led the rest of the way, winning 35-27.

Though he had been scoreless until the game-tying 3 the next nine Bearcat points would come from Nick Widener and it was 33-26 with over four minutes to play.

Widener’s nine points was tops for the Bearcats (1-3).

Brody Chambers, who scored five, hit a free throw that made it a two possession game at 33-27 with 2:28 to play but the only points the rest of the way were by the Red Devils.

Both teams will return to action on Monday, November 27 when they Mena in what will be a four game night also involving the seventh grade teams in their season openers.