MEADVILLE — Senior forward Edward McGhee sank two free throws in the final seconds to seal the Franklin County Bulldogs’ 54-49 win Friday night over the Amite County Trojans.
The win was the Bulldogs’ first in Region 7-3A this season. McGhee scored a game-high 18 points for Franklin County.
In the girls’ game, Franklin County clinched the division’s top seed with a 58-45 win over Amite County.
The Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs travel to Tylertown on Tuesday, before ending the regular season at home Friday against Hazlehurst.
Franklin County will host the Region 7-3A tournament Feb. 9-12.
The Bulldogs (3-10, 1-7) used the inside talents of McGhee and senior post Tevin Thomas to overwhelm the Trojans.
Last season, Franklin County collected its first hoops district tournament title since 2001. The Bulldogs are expected to be seeded fifth or sixth in this year’s tourney.
Amite County got 12 points apiece from Derrick Granger and Darion Banks.
The Lady Bulldogs (16-3, 8-0) raced out to a 16-10 lead and never looked back despite a second-quarter run by the Lady Trojans to cut the deficit to 26-23 at halftime.
Franklin County outscored Amite County 32-22 in the second half.
The Lady Bulldogs were led by Erica Jenkins, Cee Cee Miller and Leondra Shaw with 14 points apiece.
Cikia Patterson had a game-high 15 points for the Lady Trojans. Tydesheaia Pool added 11 points.
