Late Franklin Rally Falls Short in D10 Playoff Loss to Harbor Creek

| February 24, 2017

Preston Morgan Franklin
ERIE, Pa. (EYT) – Down 12 heading to the fourth quarter, Franklin mounted a furious comeback only to fall short, 55-52, to Harbor Creek in the District 10 Class 4A quarterfinals at the Prep & Villa Events Center in Erie Thursday night.

The Knights were down 43-31 going to the fourth but hit five 3-pointers in the quarter including three from Nate Emerson and two from Brandon Johnson.

But a sixth three that would have tied the game and potentially forced overtime wouldn’t fall.

Trailing 55-52 following a pair of Preston Morgan free throws with just over 29 seconds left, Franklin caught a break when Troy Martin, who moments earlier had hit two charity shots to put the Huskies up five, missed the front end of a one-and-one.

But Franklin (13-10) missed a three and had to foul Michael Rocco with just over six second to play. Rocco missed both keeping the Knights’ hopes alive, but a Tyus Wood three at the horn was off the mark.

Nothing really went right for Franklin until the fourth quarter.

The Knights trailed 20-7 after one and were down 16, 36-20, at halftime before rallying to get within 12 after three. They then outscored the Huskies 21-12 in the fourth quarter.

Emerson, who hit four of Franklin’s eight 3-pointers, had a game-high 18 points for the Knights with Johnson chipping in 13 and Morgan 11.

Ryan Blakney paced Harbor Creek (17-6), who plays Grove City, who beat Farrell 52-34, in the semifinals Tuesday, with 14 points. Martin added 13, Riley Boyd 12 and Rocco 10.

The other semifinal contest features Sharon against Erie Strong Vincent. Sharon beat General McLane 58-53 in overtime while Strong Vincent rolled past George Junior Republic, 87-66.

HARBOR CREEK 55, FRANKLIN 52

Score by Quarters

Franklin 7 13 11 21 – 52
Harbor Creek 20 16 7 12 – 55

FRANKLIN – 52

Preston Morgan 2 7-8 11, Brendon Gordon 0 0-0 0, Brandon Johnson 5 0-0 13, Javan Shouey 1 0-0 3, Nate Emerson 7 0-0 18, Tyus Wood 0 0-0 0, Zane Baughman 3 1-2 7, Alex Salyer 0 0-0 0, Cole McFadden 0 0-0 0. Totals 18 8-10 52.

HARBOR CREEK – 55

Michael Rocco 5 0-3 10, Peyton Ennis 3 0-0 6, Brandon Burnett 0 0-0 0, Ryan Blankley 7 0-5 14, Troy Martin 2 8-10 13, Riley Boyd 5 0-0 12. Totals 22 8-18 55.

Three-pointers: Franklin 8 (Emerson 4, Johnson 3, Shouey). Harbor Creek 3 (Boyd 2, Martin)


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