FORTVILLE — Mt. Vernon needed every second to fend off Franklin last season in a three-point opening-night win.
In this year’s season debut for both teams, however, the visiting Grizzly Cubs used incredible depth and a hot first quarter of shooting to earn a 47-28 win on the road.
Franklin completed a 19-1 run in the opening quarter with the help of an aggressive full-court press. The Grizzly Cubs were led in scoring by senior guard Makenna Bertsch, who finished with a game-high 16 points — all in the first half.
Mt. Vernon, which received seven points and 10 rebounds from junior center Sophie Williams, could not catch up despite an improved second half. Junior teammate Hanna Johnson led the Marauders with 10 points.
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The night wasn’t all good for the Grizzly Cubs. Junior forward Maya Elliott went down with an injury with 5.8 seconds left in the first quarter and was taken off the court on a stretcher. No further details on Elliott’s condition were available at press time.
“(Her safety) is more important than basketball,” Franklin coach Josh Sabol said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her.”
Sabol, who spent the last two seasons at Decatur Central, earned a win in his first game with the team. His substitution pattern, which was usually five in and five out, wore on the host Marauders.
“Our slogan on our T-shirts is ‘strength in numbers,’” Sabol said. “We have a lot of good players and a lot of girls who can dribble, pass and shoot. We are going to play somewhere between 10 to 12 girls every night.
“We knew this would not be easy. (Mt. Vernon) has been one of the best programs in the state the last few years.”
Mt. Vernon scored the first four points of the game with baskets from junior Mary Fleming and Williams but were outscored the rest of the quarter thanks in large part to 10 turnovers.
Bertsch made two of her four first-half 3-pointers and classmate Cami Cochrane added another to help Franklin build the commanding first-quarter lead.
The Grizzly Cubs had six players score in the opening period and did not allow a field goal in the final six minutes of the quarter.
Bertsch remained hot following the lengthy injury delay and scored 10 more points in the second quarter.
Franklin will be on the road again Saturday at Covenant Christian.
