Rocky Grove opened their season 4-0 (2-0 in the region) with big wins over Conneaut Area, Farrell, Maplewood and Summit Academy. Then they hit a Bulldog wall. Meadville has been to the PIAA state finals three out of the last five years and have multiple players on the GoErie.com players to watch list this year. (The Grove's Joshua Stevenson is also on that list.) Meadville handled Rocky Grove in straight sets Tuesday. The Bulldogs walloped them in the first set but the Orioles steadily improved to only losing the third set by five. Tonight they lost to Fort LeBoeuf again in three sets, but it was much more contested. They started out struggling to pass and get good sets, but they hung tight, losing the first set 25-21. In the second set, with Connor Ritchie setting, they looked to be evening it up when the wheels came off. Dropping that set 25-21 seemed to take all the wind from their sails and the third set they never fully got on track. In their early season wins, they cruised against Summit Academy, winning in three quick sets. They handled Maplewood in the last two sets after a close first set. They had little trouble beating Farrell. After dropping the first set of the year against Conneaut Area 25-20, they settled into their rhythm in the second set and crushed the Eagles 25-9. They squeaked out the third 25-21 before a fourth set barn burner that went to 26-24 for the match victory. They will look to get back to their winning ways Tuesday when they face Cathedral Prep for a 6 p.m. varsity only match. |
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Track and Field seems to be the only outdoor spring sport getting much traction on their schedule this year. The hardy bunch of athletes might not enjoy the cold rainy two and a half hour meets as much as the sunny warm day, but they are not impeded as long as its not dangerous weather. Franklin didn't fare so well losing both the boys and girl's meets to Slippery Rock this week. Titusville got in a dry meet at home this week, but also were swept by visiting Corry.
Third time was the chilly charm for the Franklin girls softball home game against Titusville. The squads were supposed to play Tuesday, then Wednesday and finally the weather allowed them to get it in on Thursday. Titusville started out with a very good at-bat by Hannah Peterson that resulted in a walk. But then a solid grounder grab by third base Abby Boland, who turned to throw a dart to second for the force in a double play attempt. After a Jordan Wynn hit put two on, freshman starting pitcher Jersey Swartz settled down. She would give up only three hits in five and a half innings of work in the 10-0 win. When it came their time to bat they wasted no time. Jillian Ewing got on bringing up senior captain Kirsten Hicks, who was playing with a heavy heart, losing her grandfather earlier in the day. Hicks at-bat was one to remember. She drilled a foul off her left leg. After a short recovery time, she got back in the box only to do it again. The hobbled catcher got right back in the box and proceeded to foul off three more to the left side before finally connecting on one that dropped a few feet from the left foul line. The hit was good enough to score Ewing for the first run of the game. The Knights weren't finished, a courtesy runner in place gave Hicks a chance to rest her bruised leg while Rylie Hanna and Boland both reached loading the bases for Gabby Lederer who knocked in two. All in all, they scored seven first-inning runs to set the tone. "Our bats have been good," said Franklin head coach Mike Hanna. "If they keep hitting the way they have been (in the first two games,) I stay out of the way and step back and watch." Hanna said they also hit well in their first game against Rocky Grove where the Knights scored 11 runs on 16 hits. In that game, Swartz gave up two runs on seven hits. Hanna said the loss of two key seniors, Sydney Hoobler and Trinity Edge last year, are tough shoes to fill, but he's so far pleased with how everyone is playing. "It's a little different dynamics with the two new freshmen and they are going to have to figure out their identities are going to be and move forward," he said. "We're progressing each game and it looks pretty good to this point and I hope it continues." In the second inning, they started right back at it with Boland walking and then scoring on Lederer's triple. Autumn Fitzgerald then plated Lederer on a single. At the end of two, the Knights were up 9-0 Titusville switched pitchers bringing Wynn in to relieve starter Sky Bierce. Franklin added only one more run in the third before being shutdown in the fourth. Titusville struggled to get anything going. Head coach Megan Green said the team hasn't been able to get much outdoor practice so far this season and is still trying to figure out player positions in this still very young season. "There are a lot of girls (who) are eager (to play), but it is finding that right blend and that chemistry we just haven't found yet," she said. "But it's only the first game." Several solid multiple sport athletes return for Titusville with Dani Fonzo, Rylie McGarvie, Abbie Collie, Gabby Peterson, Kasey Frepps and Hannah Peterson joining Wynn. "They have so much softball experience," said Green. "They just have to believe in themselves and that's when we'll see the shining stars." Titusville will play Oil City on April 2 in their home opener. Franklin will also play on April 2, but on the road against Grove City.
We received a couple requests from readers wondering how they can go about purchasing photos from the state championship game and a couple others. We apologize for not being better at uploading photos to our purchase site in a timely manner.
We posted many photos to this link of Franklin Basketball link from the playoffs and a couple other games that we had on our desktop, Please share with others who might be interested. Visit: sayerrich.zenfolio.com/p458954501 for more. Purchasing photos is one of the many ways to help support local journalism. Other ways are purchasing ads on our website. Email us for more information at 8and322@gmail.com. “He’s blind, he’s deaf… I want to be a ref.” Things like this being shouted from student “superfan” sections are one thing, but when the harassment from parents and grand parents escalates that is something else entirely.
Without officials, your kids do not play! Let that sink in next time you let your emotions overtake your tongue and finger pointing. Schroeder has reffed basketball and volleyball for nearly 60 years and credits many of his family vacations on the extra income he earned from donning the black and white stripes. Varsity officials get $80, JV, $59 and junior high $54 per game.
So it’s beginning to pay off. "This is a great way to get young people into officiating," said Leah Ann Williams, who is organizing other ways to increase the number of local officials. "He and his wife Lisa have been huge proponents of this program, including registration, assigning and mentoring these young officials."
Williams was recently promoting a series of workshops on Sunday afternoons in Sharpesville. "There is a great need for officials in all sports. As a 25-year basketball official and a five-year football official, recruitment of new referees is important to me," said Williams, who is helping organizing and publsizing this recruitment initiative. "I'm a 60 year old retired teacher, former coach and college athlete.” One of the issues is just that, Williams is 60 and she is one of the younger officials. Schroeder has been doing it for over 50 years, almost 60 so you can do the math on his age. And he’s not the oldest. “My mantra: 'If I can do it, you can too’,” Williams said.
Anyone interested in helping keep youth sports thriving can check out one of these informational clinics held from 1 to 3 p.m. on April 7, 14 and 21 at the Sharpsville High School. Williams and her fellow referees will cover a variety of information, including how to become a PIAA official and the Junior Officials program for high school students at least 16 years old. Officials representing basketball, football, soccer, wrestling, volleyball, lacrosse, softball, baseball, and track and field will be on hand to cover the following:
LaVan is also on hand to talk with high school students about Junior Officials program in all sports. Those interested in becoming a PIAA Official or Junior Official can take the PIAA test on April 21 at Sharpesville or schedule it on their own for a later day. The group kicked off the effort earlier this month and was encouraged by the turnout. "We had 10 new officials in six different sports signed up at the first session on March 10. This includes five new Junior Officials," Williams said. There is no preregistation requirements, but those with questions can reach out to Williams at Turtle3116@gmail.com. "You know we lost right?" Damon Curry asked after he and his fellow seniors were handed a banner that read FHS Champions 2024 upon arrival back at the school Sunday. He was immediately "shushed" by his mom and others all wielding cameras and phones to mark the occasion. The community knows the outcome of Saturday's game in Hershey, but that doesn't change their perception of this team's accomplishments this season - impressive undefeated region season and bouncing back in the state playoffs to avenge a District 10 final championship loss to Girard to to be western finals champs. To make it to the states finals, Franklin had to take down three different District championship teams - Chestnut Ridge (5), Deer Lakes (7) and Girard (10). "You are the public school champions," one of the parent yelled. The community lined Liberty Street downtown and met them at the high school. The team was given a police and fire escort back into town and the seniors got out of the bus to ride in the back of a pickup truck to wave to the crowds. The team brought their second place trophy that will be displayed for generations to come to know what a special season 2023-24 was in Franklin Knight hood history. To those on hand, this team are indeed the champions for the way they won and even the way they accepted the disappointment of defeat. As coach Jason Fulmer explained Saturday after the game, this team, this season will have a lasting impact on the basketball program for years to come. "It's more than just medal that's involved (in making it to the finals), he said. "Franklin is hoop town and the high school is a basketball school." he said. "And it's going to stay that way."
The ending might not have been what they wanted, but the company was well worth the journey, as Franklin fell to Devon Prep 60-56 in the PIAA Class 3A State Championship Saturday at Giant Center.
“(Coach Logan Way) was pounding into my head that I need to attack, attack, attack. He finally broke me in the playoffs, and it went from there,” Buckley said of his offensive run in the final five games of the season. This effort helped “carry the team to Hershey,” according to the stats and head coach Jason Fulmer. Buckley averaged 17.2 points per game during the state playoffs. “Let’s face it, Cole Buckley carried us through the state playoffs. He struggled during the regular season trying to find his role. But in all reality, Buckley’s five games in the state playoffs should honestly be … all-state (team) conversation because of how tough he was.”
“Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” — Albert Einstein (A special thank you to Tammy Curry for providing the photos..) According to the estimations of Cole Buckley, he and his friends first started talking about playing at the Giant Center when they were still in elementary school.
Throughout the season, the five starters have taken turns in the role of lead scorer, crashing the boards, feeding assists and snagging the steals. Here are the numbers for the eight seniors points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals: The Franklin boys basketball team got a sendoff through town Thursday. They headed to Hershey a day early of their 2 p.m. Saturday PIAA Class AAA state championship game against Devon Prep. Fans lined Liberty Street to cheer on their team.
The Franklin Knights defeated the Girard Yellow Jackets 64-55 Tuesday night at PennWest - Edinboro to win the PIAA Class 3A western finals and earn a trip to Hershey. The evening started with a same time, same place kind of feeling that echoed many of the things fans might have recalled from Franklin's District 10 title game loss to Girard earlier this month. The Yellowjackets were attacking on both needs of the court and Franklin was struggling with passes and shots.
The Knights stayed aggressive on offense - making fast long passes and dribbling hard to the basket. Franklin head coach Jason Fulmer said the turning point for the team was a pass play to beat the full court press and score a quick layup. "It was just a simple one and the lightbulb went off for me," He said. "I was like ‘that’s it.’ We’ve got to remember that. That’s the moment that we got into attacking rather than retreating."
What's Next: The Knights will play Devon Prep in the title tilt at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Giant Center in Hershey. By the numbers. How balanced is this team. Coach Fulmer says any one of his starters can score and take the team on their shoulders. Tuesday against Girard it was the whole team contributing equally. Curry led with 15, followed by Buckley with 14 and Wood with 13. The Payne brothers had 19 with Dreyden scoring one more than Demarco. Will Findlan had another solid showing off the bench contributing on defense and on the boards while adding four points of his own. They said it:
"So a player in 95 with coach Hager, it's not about me, it's about the kids right, but boy I was soul searching for one those(a trip to the finals), even for the opportunity..." said Jason Fulmer. "It took us three to go over the hump in the Elite eight and I sure as hell hoping it wasn't going to take us three to get over the hump in the western finals." Fulmer said he grew up under coach Bill Hager and he is excited to be back in the championship game hoping to add a new banner to the Castle wall. |
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