Sports

Stoughton High Girls' Basketball Team Falls to Franklin

It was easy to figure out why the Stoughton High girls' basketball team got off to a slow start in their 52-36 loss to Franklin at home Saturday. The 2-3 Black Knights hadn't played since before Christmas and had been sidelined because of the weather for a couple of days.

"In the first quarter, we didn't play well offensively," said Stoughton head coach Janet Sullivan. "Defensively, we played well, but we had been off for three days. We made a few adjustments and played better in the second half."

In the first quarter, Stoughton could only manage a three-pointer by Jessica Greer as Franklin took a 14-3 lead. A sophomore guard, Greer ended up with a big day for the Black Knights with a career-high 15 points, on five three-pointers.

Right before the first half ended, Panthers' Julianne Pisani and Olivia Adiletto each hit three-pointers  as Franklin took a 27-13 lead.

The good news for the Black Knights was the once they got their feet under them, they were able to play better in the final two quarters.

"In the third quarter, we dug in and played better on defense," said Sullivan. " I feel good about the way we played"

The Panthers weren't surprised Stoughton bounced back.

"Janet (Sullivan) is always going to have her kids prepared," said Franklin High head coach John Leighton. "(Taitienna) Thomas and (LieAndra) Bushey are quick as lightening. Our goal was to slow them down.

"They out-worked us on the boards in the third quarter and that gave them a good run. With us, it's ebb and flow, but we can't let energy be one of the things that ebb and flows. They out-hustled us in third quarter and they swung the game back into their favor. In the fourth quarter, it was kind of our challenge to come out and bring the energy back." 

At the end of the third quarter, the Black Knights went on a 6-0 run to cut the lead to five at 34-29. Greer hit a three-pointer, followed by a free throw by Thomas and a basket by Kayla Motley at the buzzer.

Franklin, though, bounced right back with an 8-0 run for a 42-29 lead, ending any chance the Black Knights had of posting a comeback victory.

The Black Knights will play host to Foxborough Tuesday night in a 6:30 p.m. game.

BOX SCORE-
Franklin-52-Lauren Rudolph1 1-1 3, Shannon Morrison 1 0-0 2,  Jessica Potts 1 0-0 2, Lauren Irvine 3 3-3 9,  Lexi Martin 5 3-4 13,  Julianne Pisini 1 0-0 14,  Tracy Pisani 0 1-2 1, Olivia Adiletto 0 0- 3, Aubrie Kutil 1 0-0-2. Totals: 14 5-8 52
Stoughton-36-Amy Kelley 1 0-0-2, LeiAndra Busby 2 1-1 5,  Ashley Medeiros 1 0-0 5,, Jessica Greer 0 0-0 15, Alecia Quinones 1 0-0 2, Taitienna Thomas 0 1-1 1, Kayla Motley 3 0-0 6. Totals: 8 2-2 36
Halftime score: Franklin, 27-13
Three pointers: Franklin 5-J Pisini 4, Adiletto 1, Stoughton 6, Greer 5, Medeiros 1


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