Franklin Matters: “Talk about big plays by the seniors”

Friday, March 4, 2016

“Talk about big plays by the seniors”

Ryan Lanigan, Editor in Chief of Hockomock Sports, provides the write up for the FHS boys basketball game against Westford Academy at Franklin.

"For the third time this season, Gill was to go-to guy in crunch time and on Thursday night, his strong take to the basket with 15 seconds to play gave the Panthers a 62-60 win over Westford Academy.

“I get the ball and it just feels right,” Gill said about late game situations. “I heard coach yelling for one shot but I just saw the lane and I just took it.”

While the layup broke a tie game, it was nearly a basket that brought Franklin back from a deficit. With just over a minute to play with the game tied a 60, Franklin had an inbounds play in the offensive half, right in the corner.

The play went awry and senior Tim Prunier’s inbounds pass went straight into the hands of Westford Academy’s Nicholas Fiorillo. Fiorillo took off, racing out into a breakaway all alone on his way for a layup. What looked like a certain basket for the Grey Ghosts quickly turned into one of the best hustle plays you’ll see.

Prunier got on his horse and sprinted back on defense, getting back in time to knock the ball free from the dribble just before Fiorillo went up with it. As the ball bounced towards the baseline, Prunier lounged and dove, getting a hand to the ball and whipping it back in bounds. Gill was able to get a hand to it, deflecting it on and the Panthers were able to keep possession.