MEADVILLE – The Franklin County Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs welcomed their new Region 7-3A opponent, Wesson Cobras to Meadville Tuesday night for basketball action.

In the girls’ game, the Lady Cobras fell to the Lady Bulldogs 49-17.

In boys’ action, the Cobras and Bulldogs played a neck and neck game that went into double overtime with the Bulldogs pulling a 73-71 win.

The JV Cobras also played a close game but the JV Bulldogs pulled the 38-33 win.

Franklin County will travel north Friday night to play the Hazlehurst Indians. The varsity teams begin play at 6 p.m. for the girls and the boys play at 7:30 at the Hazlehurst High School Gymnasium.

The Cobras play at home Friday night against the Crystal Springs Tigers. JV boys play at 5 p.m., varsity girls play at 6 p.m. and the varsity boys play at 7:30 at the Wesson Attendance Center gymnasium.

Franklin County 49, Wesson 17 

The Lady Cobras lost to the Lady Bulldogs Tuesday night in a tough 17-49 loss. Top Lady Cobra player, sophomore Jashia Smith, scored a total of 6 points, provided 1 assist, 1 steal and had 7 rebounds. The Lady Cobras struggled in free throws and only averaged 5/15 from the line.

Wesson coach Rusty Newman commented, “We didn’t show up to play tonight. Offensively we could not make a shot plus Franklin County was real aggressive and played great defense.” He continued, “They forced us to take bad shots or turn the ball over. We are just not playing well right now but will get back to work and get ready for Friday.”

Franklin County junior, Jadayla Hunt, scored 14 points for the Lady Bulldogs with 2 rebounds and 3 steals. Another top player was senior Danielle Washington who added 10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 steals. The Lady Bulldogs were 6/13 in free throw action.

Lady Bulldog coach, Rickey O’Quinn was excited about the win and said, “The girls executed well, especially in defense. They have been strong in defense all year and that got them the victory tonight.”

Franklin County 73, Wesson 71 

The Franklin County Bulldogs managed to outlast the Wesson Cobras in double overtime thriller Tuesday night with a final score of 73-71.

Bulldog senior, Chris Boss, dunked the ball in the last second of the game to tie the scoreboard and sent the game into overtime. Boss totaled 12 points and had 10 rebounds.

Senior Del’Evante White was the top scorer for Franklin County with a point total of 18 and 8 rebounds. The Bulldogs had an average of 12/24 in free throw action.

“This was a much needed win for the boys” commented Rickey O’Quinn, Bulldog coach. “We were winless coming into this game. Just like the old cliché says ‘take it one game at a time,’ we have been improving.” He continued, “We have been losing games in the 4th quarter with turnovers, but my boys grew up tonight and we can build on this win.”

For the Cobras’ powerhouse player, junior Dartavious Dixon, scored 36 points including two three pointers and had 2 rebounds, 2 steals and 3 assists and sophomore Anthony Jones scored 19 points including an impressive four 3 pointers and had 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 assists. The Cobras were 16/20 in free throws.

“This was a tough loss for us,” said Newman. “We played well in the first half but after half time, they made a 17-2 run and we just came out flat in the 3rd. I was proud of my guys for battling back. We just didn’t make the plays down the stretch to finish the game.”

In junior varsity boys action,  the Cobras suffered a disappointing 38-33 loss to the Bulldogs. Freshmen Eric Rhymes scored 10 points and Tyler Robinson made 7 points with 3 rebounds and 2 steals to lead Wesson.

Smith was the top scorer for the JV Bulldogs with a point total of 14, and had 3 rebounds and 1 steal.