Franklin Regional Defeats Warwick in a PIAA Class 5A State Championship Tournament 1st Round Game: Kehler on Hoops
Written by: Dell Jackson on March 9, 2024
Franklin Regional Defeats Warwick in a PIAA Class 5A State Championship Tournament 1st Round Game: Kehler on Hoops
Article by David Kehler
In a game that was much closer than the final score of 68 to 53 suggests, Franklin Regional of the WPIAL defeated visiting Warwick on Friday afternoon in the 1st round of the PIAA Class 5A state championship tournament. Warwick trailed by just one point early in the fourth quarter, but a 10 to 2 run in the middle of the final frame iced the game for the home side. The game was played in the afternoon because a student performance of the musical play “West Side Story” was being performed at the school on Friday night. On that theme, Warwick and Franklin Regional squared off like the Sharks and the Jets in a intensely contested playoff game.
Warwick got off to a great start, opening the scoring with a 7 to 0 run on a hoop inside by 6’ 3” junior Caleb Johnson, a turnaround jumper by 6’ 3” senior Trevor Evans, and a 3-pointer by 6’ 1” senior Carter Horst. That proved to be Warwick’s biggest lead of the game—seven points. Franklin Regional called a timeout, switched from a 2-3 zone defense to man-to-man, and got on the scoreboard on a 3-pointer by 6’ 1” junior Connor Crossey and a fast break layup by 6’ senior Cooper Rankin, who had a terrific game. The teams then battled on an even basis for a few minutes. A couple of free throws by Johnson gave Warwick a 13 to 7 lead, then Franklin Regional closed the first quarter with an 8 to 0 run on a three point play by Rankin, a turnaround jumper by 6’ 1” senior Colin Mastin, and a 3-pointer by 1000+ points career scorer 6’ 5” senior Cameron Rowell. Rowell’s shot, with 45 seconds left in the first quarter, gave Franklin Regional a 15 to 13 lead, and they led for the rest of the game.
Going into the game, I thought that Warwick’s best chance for winning was to catch fire from beyond the arc. With Franklin Regional switching back and forth between man-to-man and 2-3 zone defenses, Warwick found some opportunities to hit 3-pointers. Warwick had their best success with outside shooting in the second quarter, with Evans hitting three 3-pointers in the frame. However, Warwick got into a deep hole in the second quarter. Seven Franklin Regional players scored in the second frame, and they out-rebounded Warwick eight to three in the quarter. Once again, an end of the quarter surge lifted Franklin Regional. Franklin Regional twice led by 10 points late in the first half, and they led Warwick 35 to 26 at the break. Turnovers had been a problem throughout the first half for Warwick; they had eight miscues in the first 16 minutes of play
But, there was no quit in Warwick. They hit both boards hard in the second half, and Franklin Regional did not have an offensive rebound in the final 16 minutes of the game. Also, Warwick did not commit a turnover in the third quarter. Determined Warwick opened the scoring in the third frame with a 6 to 0 run, on a hoop inside by Horst, a power drive by 6’ 3” sophomore Ya’Majesty Washington, and a field goal inside on an inbounds play by Horst. That made it 35 to 32, Franklin Regional, with 5:19 left in the third frame. In an excellent coaching move, Franklin Regional called timeout, as the momentum was all with Warwick. When play resumed, a Warwick player incurred a technical foul for taunting, and Crossey made both free throws. In the ensuing possession, Franklin Regional’s Rowell made two more free throws, giving his side a 39 to 32 lead. Warwick came right back at their opponent, cutting the deficit to 39 to 36 on another inbounds play by Horst and a drive by Johnson, with 3:45 left in the third quarter. With 1:45 left in the third period, Warwick cut Franklin Regional’s lead to 41 to 40 on a hoop inside by 6’ senior Cody Ryan. With 35 seconds left in the third quarter, Franklin Regional’s Rankin went to the bench with his fourth foul. His teammate, Rowell, had been on the bench for much of the third quarter with foul trouble. Franklin Regional’s foul trouble presented Warwick with a great opportunity.
Warwick opened the scoring in the fourth quarter with a jumper by Washington to cut Franklin Regional’s lead to 43 to 42. Franklin Regional countered with a hoop by Masten and two free throws by 6’ senior Finian Hutchison to go up 47 to 42. Warwick responded with a 3-pointer by Johnson, their only score from beyond the arc in the second half, but not for lack of trying. Warwick called a timeout, and there was 5:48 left in the game. Franklin Regional’s Hutchison hit a 3-pointer out of the timeout, then Warwick’s Johnson scored again from inside to make it 50 to 47, Franklin Regional.
Franklin Regional was gritty down the stretch, and they launched the decisive attack with 4:44 left in the game on a three point play off of a drive by Hutchison. Warwick responded with a fast break layup by Horst, and it was 53 to 49 Franklin Regional. The home side came back with the most spectacular play of the game, a twisting reverse layup by Rankin, and, with 2:55 left to play, Franklin Regional led 55 to 49. In the single most key basket of the game, Franklin Regional’s Masten—who was incredibly clutch in this contest—scored on a drive to put his squad up 57 to 49. From there, Franklin Regional closed out the game with an 11 to 4 run, with the final six points scored at the free throw line.
Franklin Regional’s perimeter defense won the game. They obviously were aware of Warwick’s outside firepower and wanted to check it. Whether they were in man-to-man or their 2-3 zone, Franklin Regional played help defense. I didn’t detect any selfish play by the home side. As the game evolved, different Franklin Regional players came to the fore, and they were able to overcome Rowell’s and Rankin’s foul trouble. Franklin Regional was terrific from the free throw line, hitting 20 of 25.
Down the stretch, every time that Warwick was in position to take a lead, they missed a shot. There were some forced shots that didn’t come close to the basket. They put Franklin Regional on the free throw line way too often. Warwick clearly didn’t want Rowell to beat them, and their defense vs this terrific player was effective.
There were some outstanding individual performances in this game. Warwick had difficulty defending the versatile Cooper Rankin. Franklin Regional’s Finian Hutchison was sensational down the stretch, scoring a dozen points in the fourth quarter. His teammate, Colin Mastin, came up with four really clutch field goals. Although he didn’t see much floor time, Franklin Regional’s Zach Bluemling, a 5’ 5” senior, was incredibly quick and forced a couple of turnovers. His teammate, 6’ 1” junior Drew Devola, set a couple of the best picks that I’ve seen this season.
For Warwick, Carter Horst had a great game. He dominated the boards in the third quarter, and, for most of the game, defended whoever was Franklin Regional’s hottest offensive threat at that particular time. Franklin Regional didn’t really stop Caleb Johnson at any point in the game. He’s a shifty slasher.
For the game, Warwick out-rebounded Franklin Regional 47 to 30. Warwick committed 12 turnovers to eight for Franklin Regional. Franklin Regional was a stellar 20 of 25 from the free throw line, while Warwick was eight of 14. Franklin Regional scored four times from beyond the arc, while Warwick made five 3-pointers. There were no ties and one lead change.
Franklin Regional scoring: Cooper Rankin 17, Finian Hutchison 16, Connor Crossey 11, Colin Masten 10, Cameron Rowell 7, Josh Hudak 4, Zach Bluemling 2, and Jack Spagnol 1.
Warwick scoring: Caleb Johnson 17, Trevor Evans 14, Carter Horst 12, Ya’Majesty Washington 8, and Cody Ryan 2.
Warwick 13 13 14 13 – 53
Franklin Regional 15 20 8 25 – 68
Warwick’s fine season is concluded with a record of 17-9. Franklin Regional will play 18-7 Selinsgrove Area on Tuesday in the second round of the tournament.
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