Franklin boys win at Indian Creek

<p>For the Daily Journal</p><p>Franklin, playing its second game in as many nights, used a couple of short spurts to its advantage and beat host Indian Creek, 57-45, Wednesday night.</p><p>It was the first time in more than two years that these Johnson County rivals had met on the court.</p><p>Franklin was looking to make amends after their 68-48 opening-night loss at Class 4A No. 6 Center Grove on Tuesday.</p>[sc:text-divider text-divider-title="Story continues below gallery" ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery<p>Despite that, Franklin coach Brad Dickey felt the Cubs played better in that game than at certain times against the Braves.</p><p>“We were probably a better team (Tuesday night). Indian Creek knocked us out of our offense, but our defense was exceptional,” said Franklin coach Brad Dickey. “So, we get an A-plus on the defensive side and a D-minus on offense.”</p><p>Franklin surged and looked to make it a quick night, going on a 9-0 run in the final two minutes of the first quarter, but the Cubs couldn’t sustain it, scoring only seven points in the second.</p><p>Indian Creek found the correct time to hit some shots and the game was tied 22-all going into the half.</p><p>“We got a lot of positive scoring plays out of Cory Richards and Reece Thomson, and Thomas Crow spotted in and helped create a run for us and that was a lot of fun for him and the team,” said Dickey.</p><p>The Cubs were able to gradually pull away from Indian Creek in the third quarter, taking a five-point lead, but nothing appeared definite until there was 3:46 left in the game and the Cubs had a 12-point lead.</p><p>Indian Creek, to its credit, was able to get some steals and score to trim the margin to a manageable five points, at 50-45, with 1:11 left. But the Cubs found their poise and turned up their game, going on a 7-0 run and evening their record at 1-1.</p><p>Richards led the Cubs with 16 points, with fellow senior Thomson adding 15.</p><p>Indian Creek was led by senior Jace Russell’s 14 points., while Isaiah Lacey and Zach Pugh each scored 10 for the Braves (0-1).</p><p>“I thought defensively were pretty good and we did a good job of containing them,” said coach Drew Glentzer. “Overall, we played some kids a lot of minutes. We don’t have much depth and I wasn’t in a position to bring too many guys in. Ironman basketball is tough.”</p><p>Franklin enters Mid-State Conference play against Decatur Central next Friday in its home opener. Indian Creek travels a few miles to take on county rival Edinburgh on Saturday.</p>