Team effort rallies Franklin boys to overtime win

Franklin - The first win of the season for the Franklin boys basketball team was a memorable one last Friday, as the Sabers rallied back from a fourth quarter deficit to force overtime and eventually pulled out a 63-59 decision over visiting Kenosha Bradford in the Southeast Conference opener.

"It was just an electric atmosphere, such great energy," said Sabers coach Tim Hogan. "It was youth night so we had the place full, and they saw a great one. It was just a game of runs back and forth. …We just got more aggressive in the second half and I think that was what did it for us."

With the win, the Sabers improved to 1-2 overall and 1-0 in league play. They took on rival Oak Creek on Tuesday and will host Racine Horlick (2-1, 1-0) at 7:15 p.m. Friday.

The victory over Bradford was a roller-coaster ride, said Hogan.

"It was a pressure game, full of runs," he said. "We were up 21-9, then they went on a 7-0 run. Then they hit us with another run in the third quarter and we were down as many as nine, and we were still down seven with about 2 ½ minutes to go."

But behind a great defensive effort highlighted by big steals from junior guard Evan Kruczynski (five assists on the night), the Sabers clawed their way back into the game. Freshman forward Christian Nilsen also got a big theft down the stretch, too.

Franklin actually had the ball with about 18 seconds to go with a chance to win, but the Red Devils defended the play well and the game went into overtime.

In overtime, it went back-and-forth at first, but then senior guard Nick Kriesel and sophomore forward Chad Kanugh (20 points on 10 of 16 shooting) each got big baskets and senior forward Brett Ksobiech knocked down a couple of key free throws as the Sabers held on for the win.

Hogan was very pleased with the Sabers' aggression in the second half.

"We didn't have any free throw attempts in the first half, but we were 11 of 17 in the second half and in the overtime," he said. "That came from running our sets better and getting them into a little bit of foul trouble."

Ksobiech had a game high 21 points and Hogan noted Brett's brother, sophomore guard Colin, had a great defensive effort. Sophomore guard Nick Bobos also had a big 3-pointer toward the end of the third quarter to cut the lead from seven to four.

"We played just great defense and had terrific energy, especially in the second half," Hogan said. "There was also some great decision-making out there too. … Just a great first win for us."