Franklin's aggressive style overpowers Lady Yoe

Going into Tuesday's 20-3A showdown with the Franklin, the Lady Yoe knew they were facing an uphill battle.

 

Cameron was without NaQuiria Gibbons and Marly Spink - two players that are normally in the starting rotation. That meant that others had to step up and carry the load against a Franklin team that was undefeated in district action.

 

Franklin (4-0) took full advantage early on, using the full court press to generate 16 turnovers in the first en route to an overwhelming 75-26 victory.

 

"That was big to the success," said Franklin coach Gary Watkins on the press defense. "My girls like to play that way. It energizes them to play with a full court press like that."

 

Meagan McCarver is a three-year starter for Franklin and showed why she was all-state a season ago. The guard not only knocked down shots, but also generated a portion of the turnovers in opening period.

 

"She shows a lot of senior leadership," added Watkins. "Not only did she shoot the ball, but she had a lot of steals and took it in for layups."

 

McCarver finished with a team-high 24 points - 15 of which came from beyond the three-point line.

 

"She is just a good shooter and we always try to get the ball to her," said Watkins, who added that McCarver is someone who wants the ball in her hands.

 

Cameron's Zabrian Sowders and Lauryn Leftwich had two buckets in the first two periods but Franklin continued to increase their lead up to 50-12 at the half.

 

Adams provided a spark in the third by sinking a three-point shot, but Franklin was up 70-21 heading to the final eight minutes.

 

Adams finished with eight, Sowders had seven, while Marquazia Workman and Sowders scored five points each for the Cameron in the loss.

 

Franklin sophomore Larissa Mendoza hit four three-point shots and finished tied for second on the team in scoring with Mercedes Green, who both had 12 points. Franklin finished with 12 three-pointers on the night.