Girls Basketball: Indians Can't Keep Poly Off the Boards, Fall in Region Quarterfinals

Trailing 18-16 heading into the halftime break, Franklin coach Denikwa James emphasized the importance of controlling the defensive boards—her team having allowed nine offensive rebounds in the first half to third-seeded Poly. 

In a game where points came at a premium, the Indians simply couldn’t allow the Engineers to pick up second and third opportunities at the basket.

Unfortunately for Franklin, James’ message didn’t resonate in her players as the Indians would go on to let up 14 more offensive boards in the second half (23 for the game) as Poly would eventually pull away midway through the third quarter en route to a 46-33 victory to move on to the 3A North Semifinals.

“It’s so important. You have to box out and get your rebounds,” James said of what caused her team’s ultimate downfall.

“They don’t understand that boxing out and rebounding is the most important thing in basketball and if you don’t do that you can’t win the game. That’s what I told them at halftime. They basically out-rebounded us.”

One offensive rebound in particular was especially damaging for the Indians.

After two Erin Nivens free throws tied the game at 23 five minutes into the third period, Poly’s Jillian Lee answered with a layup on the other end and was fouled by MiQueara Lewis.

Although Lee missed on the ensuing free throw, Lewis was facing the other way (set to leave the game after picking up her third foul) and allowed Poly to corral the rebound and put it in for another two points.

Sophomore Ariana Foote responded with a lay-in off an under the basket inbounds to cut the deficit back to two at 27-25, however, her bucket would be Franklin’s last until the 3:40 mark in the fourth quarter.

The drought, which lasted about seven minutes of game time, permitted Poly to go on a devastating 14-0 spurt before Nivens (game-high 13 points) finally broke the cold spell with a soft runner in the lane to make the score 41-27.

Despite sticking with the Engineers through the majority of three quarters, Franklin’s inability to rebound coupled with their game-long struggles breaking a full-court press made any chance of a late comeback out of the question.

Nivens, the only Indians player to register double figure points, struggled to find answers following the game, knowing full well that her team was capable of playing better.

“We did better during the season,” the junior said. “I think everybody was a little intimidated by this team. Maybe because it was a city team.”

In spite of the disappointing loss Tuesday, James spoke proudly about what she saw from her team over the course of the season—one in which her young squad went 12-12 and gained a dominating first-round playoff win over C. Milton Wright.

“I’m very happy,” James said. “I know I had some heartbreaking games but, I’m very happy knowing that my team is young. I think that next year is going to be much stronger and we’re going to have a different outlook.”