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Patriot district chances present challenge
The Franklin Parish Patriots know that tough work is ahead in one of the best districts in Class 4A when in comes to North Louisiana basketball.
The Patriots (8-2) will be competing once again with Top 28 qualifier Carroll as well as improved teams in Neville and Bastrop.
A young West Ouachita team is also on the slate when district play rolls around after the new year. The first district contest for the Patriots will be Jan. 13 against Bastrop. District competition becomes intense from that point on.
"We need to improve our free throw shooting," Franklin Parish head coach Wystee Kerry said. "We are trying to correct our turnover problems and take better care of the basketball."
The Patriots began the year on a four-game win streak by beating the likes of Ferriday, Sicily Island, Lake Providence, and Tensas before falling to Madison Parish, 59-53 on Nov. 22.
Madison has been a mainstay in the Class 2A state tournament for many years and has beaten many 5A teams over the past few years including West Monroe and Ouachita Parish High School.
The Carroll Bulldogs are welcoming back head coach Jesse Burnett after a four year hiatus that included stops at Sterlington and River Oaks.
The Bulldogs rode on the coat tails of Terrence Henry and Brandon Wilson all the way to the Class 4A semi-finals a year ago.
Carroll will be young inside, but a great group of young players look like they could make this team into a champion once again in 2008.
Neville and Bastrop return three starters each on teams that made the playoffs a year ago.
Neville will be loaded with talent at the guard position and Bastrop will rely on their rebounding strength to keep pace in the distict.
"Carroll is still the team to beat here," Kerry said. "I think Neville and Bastrop as well as West Ouachita will all be improved. We are in a real good district here."
After a 20-11 record in 2007-08 left Franklin Parish out of the playoffs, the Patriots are looking to leap over a team and make the jump into postseason play this year.
The Lady Patriots of Franklin Parish are off to a solid start on the season.
Franklin Parish (8-4) has jumped out to a season start behind the hot hands Jasmine Jones and Bredolyn Johnson. Head coach Kristi Norman has a big group of seniors that have shown great improvement and leadership after the 11-15 campaign a year ago.
Neville was district champions for the second straight season last year. The Lady Tigers will be young at the post positions.
Carroll (9-0) is certainly appearing like they are the team to beat. The "Dog Pound" is historically known as one of the toughest venues to play in basketball in decades gone by.
The Lady Patriots will visit Monroe to battle Richwood High School on Tuesday night that will begin a long stretch away from home.
Franklin Parish will host West Ouachita in a district tilt on Jan. 20 in their next home contest. |
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