Capitol vs. Franklinton top performers
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Capitol recognized its seniors Monday before tip-off and added plenty more celebratory moments to build its lead and hold off visiting Franklinton for a much-needed late-season win. The Lions (18-9) came away with steals and rebounds, pushed the pace and…
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Continue ReadingCapitol recognized its seniors Monday before tip-off and added plenty more celebratory moments to build its lead and hold off visiting Franklinton for a much-needed late-season win.
The Lions (18-9) came away with steals and rebounds, pushed the pace and moved the ball on its way to an 87-78 defeat of the higher-classification Demons (10-11) in which three of their players scored 18 or more.
“It keeps our heads up,” said sophomore Ramsey Bethel Jr., who led the way with 31 points. “We hadn’t been beating good teams lately, so beating a good team feels good to keep succeeding this year going into the playoffs and being ready.”
Ramsey Bethel Jr. — 6-2 G — Capitol (2026)
The sophomore played confidently from the outset — attacking the rim and looking for his shot at all three levels, but not at the expense of the team’s strong ball movement. Bethel finished with 31 points on several acrobatic and high-flying finishes at the basket, nine free throws and a pair of 3-pointers, including a buzzer-beater to end the third quarter. The long, quick guard also grabbed 10 rebounds and six steals and dished out seven assists.
Makaevion Cherry — 6-0 G — Capitol (2024)
“Bubba” helped spark the Lions’ offense shaking off his first miss and then rattling off a 4-for-6 stretch from beyond the arc, capped by a halftime buzzer-beater. Cherry finished with 20 points with a couple effective shots in the lane, including a nice floater, to round out his scoring, as well as four rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Jaiden Garrett Jaiden Garrett 6'7" | PF Franklinton | 2025 State LA — 6-7 F — Franklinton (2025)
The tall, long athlete grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, blocked pieces of at least four shots and altered several more as a major impact player around the basket on both sides of the court. But Garrett also showed some skill further out with his 18 points extending out from shots at the rim to a short jumpers in the midrange, as well as some limited connective ball-handling out beyond the arc and a steal he snatched while defending a guard on the perimeter.
Raymond Hart Jr Raymond Hart Jr 6'2" | PG Franklinton | 2025 State LA . — 6-2 G — Franklinton (2025)
The quick combo guard with good height and length racked up 36 points with a strong handle, quick release out well past the 3-point line and well-paced drive and acrobatic finishes on his attacks to the rim. “R.J.” finished 6-for-14 (42.9%) from deep, including a hot stretch of three straight makes to end the first half, and 10-for-12 (83.3%) from the foul line. And he added seven rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals.
Mykell Smith — 6-2 F — Capitol (2024)
The senior forward was a steady presence in the Lions’ offense throughout the night with at least three points and an assist in each quarter, but particularly took charge in the second half when Capitol needed to answer and shut down building Franklinton momentum. Smith scored 12 of his 18 after halftime with his physical play inside and finished with seven rebounds, three steals and a blocked shot. He was also reliable as an additional ball-handler and particularly impressive with his vision and passing for five rebounds, including some highlight-reel lobs and outlets up ahead for dunks.