Senior-laden Monroe handed Franklin its first loss of the season Friday, beating the Wildcats 51-49 at home to end their 51-game SWBL Southwestern Division winning streak over the past four-plus years. The Hornets were the last league team to beat the Wildcats (on Feb. 18, 2011).
“I know these seniors, for four years going against Luke Kennard and Co., it was really hard for them to have a chance, and Franklin, they have a great team,” first-year Monroe coach Kenny Molz said. “We had to play our ‘A’ game to have a chance, and I think we did. The guys are starting to buy into what I’m telling them, they are believing in me and in each other, and hopefully this is a launching pad for these guys moving forward.”
Monroe (6-5, 3-2 SWBL) jumped out to a 6-0 lead while Franklin (8-1, 3-1 SWBL) struggled in the first quarter with the outside shot that has carried the team this season. But it took patience on offense and high-energy play on defense for the Hornets to stay in the game.
The Wildcats went ahead for the first time on Konnor Black’s 3-pointer with 2:51 left in the second quarter as part of an 11-0 run, which gave them a 19-12 lead in the final minute before halftime. However, Steve Donald answered with a layup and buzzer-beating trey from NBA range to make it a two-point game at the break.
The lead changed hands three times in the second half before Tristan Backas and Noah Kappers combined to score Monroe’s first 12 points in the fourth quarter. Kappers completed a three-point play with 5:10 left to take a 38-36 lead that would hold the rest of the way with the help of some key free throws down the stretch.
Donald and Kappers each finished with 15 points to lead the Hornets.
“This is huge for us,” Kappers said. “It means a lot because they are our rivals. We wanted this one bad, and it was amazing.”
Ryan Montgomery and Noah Kremer had big second halves to give Franklin a chance, but the Wildcats were hurt by a 2-of-12 performance from the free-throw line, and Monroe outrebounded them late in the game.
Kremer finished with a team-high 14 points and Montgomery added 12.
“I just told the guys, ‘We still have a lot to play for,’ ” Franklin coach Brian Bales said. “Everyone wants to talk about the streak, but we’re 8-1. We have one league loss and we still have our goal to play for, and that’s win a league championship. Credit to Monroe. They played a great game. They stuck with it, and in the end, they were the tougher team.”
Both teams will play on the road Saturday. The Wildcats face Miamisburg, while the Hornets meet Edgewood.
Franklin 6-13-15-15—49
Monroe 8-9-12-22—51
FRANKLIN (8-1, 3-1) — Noah Kremer 14, Will Kercher 5, Braxton Lawwill 9, Payton Knott 2, Jared Kinzer 4, Ryan Montgomery 12, Konnor Black 3. Totals: 20-2-49
MONROE (6-5, 3-2) — Steve Donald 15, Braden Hatton 7, Noah Kappers 15, Tristan Backas 6, Tyler Beckett 6, Josh McCready 2. Totals: 19-7-51
3-pointers: F 7 (Lawwill 3, Montgomery 2, Kercher, Black), M 3 (Donald, Hatton, Kappers)
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