PIQUA – The Franklin Monroe Jets won their opening round OHSAA DVII tournament game with a 58-28 win over the Fairlawn Jets.
“We were aggressive scoring at the rim,” said Franklin Monroe coach Troy Myers. “Our guys were physical through contact, and it allowed us separation early, and we’re playing with a lead from that point on.”
Franklin Monroe put the game away in the opening period with EB Fall connecting for 10 points, Lucas Brenner with six points, Blake Riffle and Eric Brenner with two each, giving the FM Jets a 20-4 lead with one period in the book.
The Darke County Jets scored another 20 points in the second quarter while holding the Shelby County Jets to eight points, sending the teams to the halftime break with Franklin Monroe sporting a 40-12 lead.
Brandt Filbrun and Blake Riffle had matching second-quarter 3-pointers and a 2-point basket to pace the FM Jets in the second.
“In the last two or three weeks, we’ve been a different team defensively,” Myers noted. “I told them before the game that your defense has to go with you to the tournament. Hopefully, we’ve built this thing in the last three weeks to put us in that position.”
Myers continued to use his bench in third-quarter play, taking the quarter 16-10 led by eight EB Fall points, giving Franklin Monroe a 56-22 lead with a running clock in play with one period to play.
“Historically, that is just how we have operated,” Myers said of his liberal substitution. “It’s how we operate. I feel like there are a lot of guys that put a lot of work into this, so not only to reward them but also, your core guys, you have to keep them healthy for the next tournament game.”
“It is good to see those guys that play the background role a lot more than the forefront get some time and be able to produce,” Myers added.
Franklin Monroe spent the final eight minutes winding down the running clock, with Fairlawn taking the final period 6-2, advancing the FM Jets in tournament play.
“EB (Fall) was a difference maker,” said Myers. “His length early was a difference maker, he was able to finish at the rim. Lucas (Brenner) was super physical trying to get to the rim, get to the free throw line, whatever it may be. Those two guys early were a separator.”
EB Fall led Franklin Monroe and all scorers with a game-high 22 points.
Franklin Monroe will face Newton, 41-37 winners over Cedarville, on Tuesday, February 25, at Piqua with a 7:30 p.m. start time.
BOXSCORE:
FRANKLIN MONROE 58, FAIRLAWN 28
FRANKLIN MONROE – EB Fall 22, B. Filbrun 8, B. Riffle 8, L. Brenner 6, E. Brenner 6, T. Wilson 6, T. Miller 2 – TOTALS 19 9-13 3 58
FAIRLAWN – G. Maddy 7, E. Elliott 6, B. Ennis 6, I. Clayton 4, K. Withrow 3, C. Keener 2 – TOTALS 7 2-3 4 28
3-POINTERS
Franklin Monroe 3 (B. Filbrun 2, B. Riffle 1)
Fairlawn 4 (B. Ennis 2, K. Withrow 1, G. Maddy 1)
SCORE by QUARTERS
20-20-16-02 58 Franklin Monroe
04-08-10-06 28 Fairlawn
