Franklin Regional boys avoid close call with Kiski Area this time

By: Nathan Breisinger
Tuesday, January 30, 2024 | 10:11 PM

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At the start of January, Franklin Regional and Kiski Area clashed at the home of the Cavaliers in a game that saw the home team evaporate a 23-point deficit to take a late lead. But the Panthers’ Cam Rowell sank a late shot to prevent the collapse.

In Round 2 on Tuesday at third-ranked Franklin Regional’s court, the Panthers wanted nothing to do with that scenario and defeated the Cavs, 61-48, in a Section 3-5A battle.

“At their place, we started getting sped up a little bit,” Franklin Regional coach Jesse Reed said. “I thought we did a great job offensively where we made them work and passed up good shots for great shots.”

The Panthers led by double-digits for nearly the entire second half but needed those open shots to fall. So they turned to senior Fin Hutchison, who made four 3s and scored all 12 of his points in the third quarter.

“In situations like that, whenever he’s getting open looks, for him to knock them down is exactly what we need,” Reed said. “I’m so proud of him for to step up in those moments.”

Maintaining a steady presence as usual, 6-foot-5 forward Rowell added a 3-pointer in the third on his way to a Panther-high 24 points.

As important as Rowell was on the offensive side, the senior played a huge part in the Panthers’ stout defense along with Cooper Rankin. The Panthers (16-2, 6-1) forced the Cavaliers (12-6, 3-4) into an abundance of turnovers.

“This time around in the section, we’ve reiterated hard defense and help defense,” Rowell said. “That’s probably our weak point, so that’s where we really got to come together and communicate and that’s what helped us tonight.”

Coming in on a four-game winning streak, including three straight section wins, Kiski Area fed off of the aggressive play of their leading scorer Isaiah Gonzalez as he scored a game-high 25 points.

“Isaiah gets it done. Flat out,” Cavaliers coach Corey Smith said. “We need more from the other guys than Isaiah. We can rely on him, but other guys need to step it up for us.”

Although Gonzalez, who was the lone Cavalier in double digits, did everything in his power to keep the Cavaliers afloat, Franklin Regional’s pesky defense triggered a 12-0 run in the second quarter.

“When you don’t come ready to go from the jump, bad things can happen,” Smith said. “When you dig yourself a hole to the number-one team in the section, it’s hard to come back. Basketball games are runs, and they had more runs than us tonight.”

After a Connor Crossey triple, Rankin made a deep basket that was part of his 13 points. Rowell then had the scoring touch with Rankin feeding him, including a corner 3 that was set up by a block by Rankin.

The Panthers closed the opening half limiting the Cavaliers to 14 points.

“To keep them to 14 points in the first half, if you’re doing that, you are really locked in and ready to go,” Reed said.

With the Panthers hitting six 3s in the third quarter, they began to lengthen the lead, but Gonzalez was still there pushing the pace for the Cavaliers. To close out the third quarter, Gonzalez grabbed an offensive rebound and made a baseline jumper at the horn to keep it a 10-point game.

Cutting the deficit to eight points after a Carson Heinle bucket in the paint, the Cavaliers stole the inbounds pass but gave it right back as Rankin dropped it for Rowell, who scored and pushed the lead back to double figures.

Rowell then added the exclamation point, taking an inbounds pass from Colin Masten near mid-court and going the rest of the way for a thunderous two-handed slam.

“It was the play right before where we ran the same play. I hit it, and I got stopped,” Rowell said. “In the huddle, I say, ‘Yo, let’s run it back.’ We run it back, same thing, my body Colin throws a really nice pass, let it bounce one time and go in and dunk it.”

In a two-way race atop the section standings with Gateway, the Panthers will look to add to their win total on Friday at Latrobe.

Tags: Franklin Regional, Kiski Area