FRANKLIN, Mass. - The Franklin girls’ basketball team didn't know what to expect heading into their Friday night non-league matchup against Arlington Catholic, so the result was nothing less than pleasing for the Panthers.
The contest started out as a barn burning defensive dual between the two teams as Arlington Catholic made only one shot as the Panthers only made three. The score at the end of eight minutes was a merely 8-3 in favor of the Panthers.
Then Franklin’s defense and vaunted full court press kicked in. The press caused Arlington Catholic to turn the ball over five times in the second quarter and the turnovers caused the Panthers to extend their lead to 23-7 at halftime.
In the third, the great shooting of Franklin senior Julia Bireley and junior Lexi Martin carried the Panthers to a 33-24 at the end of three quarters.
Arlington Catholic did not go without a fight though as they drew within four at one point in the fourth quarter, but that was the closest they would get as the defense held on for the Panthers to give them a 52-40 win improving them to 3-1 on the young season.
“It was a great defensive effort for everyone tonight,” Martin said. “I think that we really did a great job holding on defensively and making sure we did not give up any easy baskets.”
Martin led the scoring for the Panthers with 14 as fellow junior Julianne Pisani was right behind her with an 11 point performance.
The Panthers now will prepare for their toughest test yet against Braintree on Monday, which will be a rematch of the last two south sectional finals.
“I think it will be good to see where we are at,” Martin said. “These are tough teams we are facing and we are just trying to build as a team through this stretch.”
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