(Pictured: Franklin Central's Benny Ogayonne)

 

In a fantastic game from start to finish, Franklin Central edged Lawrence Central in overtime. The game was sent to the extra frame by a last-second three-pointer from senior guard Greg Jenkins, but the Flashes prevailed, 82-81.

 

From the tip, Franklin Central showed it was ready to play. Junior Rynell Echols drilled a baseline jumper then knocked down a three-pointer on the next possession to give Franklin Central the early lead. For a team that trailed big in its opener against Center Grove, it was big for the Flashes to get off to a good start.

 

The story of the first half was senior Sam Mettert. The Franklin Central forward scored 11 points in the first quarter and 19 points in the half. He was aggressive off cuts, scored at the basket, and made a couple of mid-range shots. He was clicking on all cylinders.

 

Despite Mettert’s strong play, Lawrence Central stuck right with Franklin Central. Bradyn Barrett gave the Bears a boost with his shooting early in the game. Greg Jenkins was picking his spots to score while making an impact in every phase of the game. Sophomore Josh Mickens battled on the boards, and Gene Hooten was dropping dimes.

 

The efficiency of both teams made the first half incredibly enjoyable to watch. It was not a fast-paced game, but the teams were executing and shooting at an elite level. For the game, Lawrence Central was 10-18 from the three-point range and lost. That shows how good Franklin Central was on Tuesday night.

 

At the half, Franklin Central led 46-41, but senior guard Damariz Merriweather changed that in a hurry. On the first two Lawrence Central possessions, he knocked down threes then he scored going to the basket on the third trip. Merriweather’s 8-0 run gave Lawrence Central its first lead of the game. He scored 11 in the quarter as the Flashes had no answer for him.

 

After Merriweather gave LC its first lead, Franklin Central built the lead right back up. Benny Ogayonne and Bryan Marshall helped Franklin Central withstand the punch from Merriweather. Ogayonne and Marshall were slashing to the basket and finding open teammates all game. Their steadiness against LC’s pressure was impressive. The duo did not record a turnover in the game.

 

The Flashes led by nine to begin the fourth quarter. But Merriweather was not done. He scored the first bucket of the fourth period. Later, he scored on consecutive possessions to cut LC’s deficit to one.

 

A few empty possessions later, Franklin Central led by three and was working clock. Merriweather committed a foul that he did not try to give with 35 seconds to play. It was his fifth and final foul.

 

Ogayonne converted two foul shots to extend Franklin Central’s lead. LC sandwiched Josh Mickens and Jenkins scoring at the basket around two made FC free throws.

 

With under 10 seconds left, Ogayonne went back to the line for a one and one. He missed the front end.

 

Down three, Jenkins pushed the ball up the floor before pulling up from the volleyball line. His shot splashed through the net a second before the buzzer went off. He shot it like there was no doubt it was going in and that’s exactly how it played out.

 

Late in overtime, Ogayonne finished a tough shot to give Franklin Central a two-point advantage. On the other end, sophomore Kamari Jones grabbed his own offensive rebound and was fouled. He calmly made both free throws to time the game.

 

With the game tied, the Flashes worked the last minute off the clock before calling a timeout. With 11.8 seconds left, Franklin Central in-bounded the ball from the sideline. Mettert cut through the lane and tried to score but was fouled with 2.4 seconds remaining.

 

He missed the first free throw but made the second to give Franklin Central the lead. With only 2.4 seconds on the clock, Jenkins did not have time to bail Lawrence Central out this time. His heave was off the mark.

 

Mettert led the Flashes with 24 points and 10 rebounds despite rolling his ankle in the third quarter. Ogayonne had 21 points, six rebounds, and three steals.

 

Damariz Merriweather finished with a game-high 27 points.

 

Franklin Central (82) – Benny Ogayonne 21 pionts (7-18 FG, 0-2 3FG, 7-9 FT), 6 rebounds, 2 asts, 0 turns, 1blk, 3stls; Rynell Echols 11 points (5-6 FG, 1-2 3FG), 3asts, 1 turn, 3stls; Shawn Gooch 2pts, 5rebs, 3asts, 3turns, 2stls; Bryan Marshall 16pts (5-6 FG, 6-6 FT), 2 rebs, 5asts, 0turns; Sam Mettert 24 pts (9-14 FG, 0-2 3FG, 6-7 FT), 10 rebs, 1 ast, 1turn, 2blks; Owen Leck 4pts, Airrion Boyd 2pts, 1reb; Kole Brewer 2pts, 1reb

 

Lawrence Central (81) – Greg Jenkins 21pts (7-9 FG, 3-4 3FG, 4-4 FT), 5rebs, 2asts, 4turns, 2blks, 2stls; Bradyn Barrett 10pts, 6rebs, 2asts, 1turn; Damriz Merriweather 27pts (10-16 FG, 4-8 3FG, 3-4 FT), 3rebs, 2asts, 2turns; Josh Mickens 14pts (7-15FG, 0-1 FT), 10rebs, 1ast, 2blks, 2stls; Kamari Jones 4pts, Jacob Franklin 5pts, 3assts, 2turns; Gene Hooten 5asts, 0turns, 1reb