He was immediately "shushed" by his mom and others all wielding cameras and phones to mark the occasion.
"You are the public school champions," one of the parent yelled.
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"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."
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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. The local PIAA officials are in the midst of a recruiting blitz for a variety of high school sports.
The Mercer County basketball and football officials groups have taken the lead on organizing a series of workshops on Sunday afternoons in Sharpsville to help train new referees for counties throughout the region. "As you know, 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 Leah Ann Williams, who is helping organize and publsize the recruitment initiative. "I'm a 60 year old retired teacher, former coach and college athlete. My mantra: 'If I can do it, you can too'." The informational clinics will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on March 24 and 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 officials 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 & field will be on hand. Attendees will get to hear information about the following topics:
Tim LaVan of Oil City is on hand to talk with high school students about Junior Officials program in all sports. "This is a great way to get young people into officiating," Williams said. "He and his wife Lisa have been huge proponents of this program, including registration, assigning and mentoring these young officials." Those interested in becoming a PIAA Official or Junior Official can take the PIAA test on April 21 at the school 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. In a moment that was four years in the making, Franklin boys basketball defeated Deer Lakes 83-66 for a spot in the western finals of the PIAA Class 3A state playoffs. "First two years... we struggled to even win a state playoff game. Last year, we finally got a taste of it. This year, we are building on that," game standout Cole Buckley said following Franklin's dominating victory. The senior led the Knights with 24 points.
Now they set their sights on Deer Lakes, who defeated Forest Hills 67-51. The two will meet on Saturday at a time and place to be determined.
"Right from our first possession we pounded it right in to (Curry). We were like, hey this is what we are going to do. We aren't going to sit around the arch all night," Fulmer said. "We are going to get to the rim." By the end of the first, Franklin had a 18-8 lead and the Lancers would never get closer The second was Buckley's time to shine as he drained 12 points in the quarter, including 8 in row for the Knights' offense. On the defense side, they held Neshannock to single digits once again. "We set the tone - 17 points in the first half, pretty defensive. We were intense," Fulmer recalled on his team's first half efforts. The Knights went into the locker room with a 36-17 lead. After an extended halftime due to a medical emergency in the stands, the Knights came back out ready to seal the deal. With 2:20 left in the quarter, Franklin had extended their lead to 21 points and Neshannock started seeing the game slip away. They responded by trying to turn the pressure on Franklin with a half court press. "We handled it much better," Fulmer said of his team's effort Saturday verus the District 10 game. "We started out a little rusty ... after that settled in, we were OK. We got the conversation, which we have been struggling with." Jalen Wood hit a three off a pass from Buckley to in the final seconds of the quarter and Franklin was now up 57-31. Neshannock continued to apply the pressure and force Franklin to fully play out the final stanza. With brothers Damarco and Dreyden Payne both in foul trouble early on, Buckley and Wood remained on the floor without breaks, Wood staying until the end buzzer sounded. Finlan also logged several minutes of playing time. "Credit to Will Finlan. I'm hard on him," Fulmer said stating the underclassman's role in the future of the program as well as his role here and now. "Ultimately he has to get where we need him to be this year... He did a hell of a job tonight," Fulmer said. Despite a fourth quarter slowdown by Franklin, the Knights earned the 69-55 win. Buckley led the offensive attack against Neshannock with 18 points. Other Knights with double digits were Curry with 14, Wood with 13 and Damarco Payne with 10. Finlan had six, Dreyden Payne had five, and Gavin Eakin had three. The win was a good bounce back after losing a disappointing district final last week to Girard. "Girard punched us in the face. They got up after us. They challenged us. We didn't respond to it ... well. We got turned up a little bit," Fulmer said. "It was the perfect storm," Fulmer and his coaching staff turned it into a learning experience to prepare for the difficult games ahead. It will continue with District 5 champs Chestnut Ridge High School (23-4) of Bedford County Wednesday at a time and location to be determined. Last Shot: And for this week's Jason Fulmer impersonation contest winner.... Jalen Wood.
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