The Rockdale Tigers, now 0-5 in District 19-3A, came up short in their 48-38 loss to Franklin.
“They did a good job fighting until the end,” said Sean Coleman, Rockdale High School boy’s head basketball coach. “But we need to start the game with that same aggressiveness and intensity.”
Despite Kelan Evans three-point basket to start the game and Ryker Zinn’s running jump shot, the Tigers first quarter was marred by ten turnovers. The Lions led 16-5 going into the second quarter.
RHS started the second quarter like the first with a three pointer from Braden Moore. The Tigers trailed the entire second quarter as Franklin’s Rashawn Green made his second buzzer beater of the night to put Franklin up 30-15 at the intermission.
The Lions kept their lead in the third quarter as the Tigers had trouble attacking the Robertson County squad’s zone defense, leading 39-25 going into the final quarter.
Trailing 42-29 the Tigers went to a full-court press on defense and rallied with a Braden Moore free throw. Layups by Evans and Kobe Mitchell helped cut the Lion’s lead to 42-34.
Mason Monzingo’s put back after two misses by Rockdale cut the game to six.
Franklin’s Datron Dixon put a halt to the run with a three pointer that stopped the Tiger’s momentum.
Rockdale’s chances slipped away with two empty possessions and a free throw by Green to put Franklin up 10 with two minutes left in the game.
Green clinched a victory for the Lions with a breakaway layup to give his team a 12-point lead with a minute and a half left in the game. Mitchell scored once more for the Tigers, but the Lions won 48-38.
Evans led RHS with 10 points and Monzingo had eight.
“We did not attack their zone well until the third quarter,” Coleman said. “I will say it again, but I have to keep working to get my players to understand what it is I want them to do.”
On Tuesday, the Tigers lost 52-28 to Rogers. Davis had eight points and Cayden McBride six.
Rockdale played rival Cameron on Tuesday and will host Lexington 7:45 p.m., Friday to close the first half of district play.
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