BRADFORD – Bradford hosted Franklin Monroe and couldn’t shake off a slow start, and the Jets took advantage, rolling out to a 24-6 halftime advantage on their way to a 54-26 league win over the Railroaders.
The defensive pressure applied by Franklin Monroe frustrated Bradford to the point that when the Roaders did break the pressure they were unable to run their offense well and that resulted in a 24-6 halftime deficit.
Franklin Monroe, off the strength of its press, got some easy baskets and had balanced scoring in the first half with 6points from Corina Conley, 4 each from Audrey and Bell Cable to lead the way.
Bradford played an inspired second half, scoring 20 points, 10 in each quarter … but every time the Railroaders made a few, the Jets ramped up their press that yielded quick scores and the Roaders had to try and climb back in it again.
It was too much to overcome on this night as Franklin Monroe spread the wealth around with Audrey Cable leading the way with 14 points, Belle Cable 12 and Conley 11 as the Jets cruised to a 54-26 Cross County Conference win.
“This group of girls I have likes to get after it, and I like to give them opportunities to do that, and I felt like our press tonight gave us those opportunities. It allowed us to get some easy buckets,” Franklin Monroe girls basketball coach Abbey Moore said.
“I vividly recall how we were so unselfish off the break, how we shared the ball, and that was nice to see. Overall it was a well-rounded effort by our team,” Moore said.
“Starting Saturday we have to come out and play four full quarters to get ready for tournament. We can’t have one or two letdown quarters,” Moore concluded.
Bradford was led by senior Mandi Bates with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
“Defensively we knew the challenge ahead of us facing a very young but good FM team. We got after it on defense, and I was happy to see that,” Bradford coach Patrick McKee said.
“It wasn’t our defense tonight that beat us. It’s handling the basketball and boxing out. We had 25 turnovers, and they got 10 points in the first half alone off the glass, so that was a struggle tonight for us,” McKee added.
“We need to focus on executing our offense. We aren’t a one pass and shoot type of team. The girls see when we watch film; when all five girls are moving and the ball is moving we can score. It’s something we’ll keep working on,” McKee concluded.
Franklin Monroe improved to 11-4 overall and 6-2 in the CCC and will travel to National Trail on Saturday.
Bradford dropped to 2-11 overall and 1-6 in the CCC and will look to rebound Saturday when the Railroaders host Twin Valley South.
Score by quarters:
Bradford … 04 … 02 … 10 … 10 – 26
Franklin Monroe … 10 … 14 … 13 … 17 – 54
Team scoring:
Bradford
Fout 2, Hart 5, Bates 15, Booker 4
Totals: 0-8-10/17 – 26
Franklin Monroe
B. Cable 12, Conley 11, Morris 5, Peters 6, Goubeaux 2, Goins 4, A. Cable 14
Totals: 1-21-11/18 – 54
