Mount Carmel Wins B Conference

By: Luke Jackson

Our Lady of Mount Carmel senior guard Troy Franklin scored a game-high 21 points and overcame some early foul problems to help the Cougars pull out a 58-50 victory over St. Mary's in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association B Conference championship Sunday at the Towson Center.

Franklin scored five first-quarter points but picked up his second foul 34 seconds into the second quarter and had to sit for the rest of the half. St. Mary's took advantage of his absence and outscored Mount Carmel, 16-6, in the period for a 24-23 halftime lead.

"That's been our philosophy all year - if someone gets two fouls, they're going to sit until [the second half]," said Mount Carmel head coach Tom Rose.

Franklin then jump-started the Cougars’ offense after halftime with six points early in the third quarter, Mount Carmel took control of the game by outscoring St. Mary's, 17-11, in the third quarter for a five-point lead heading into the final period.

"I just told [my teammates] in the locker room [to] stay in it," said Franklin.

Mount Carmel also used balanced scoring and rebounding to lift it over St. Mary's. Senior forward Stanford McNair added 16 points and six rebounds. Senior center Marcanthony Franks added eight points and six rebounds, and senior forward Rummell King had a team-high eight rebounds.

"Because of our seniors, we wanted to focus on balance," said Rose.

Junior guard Nicholas Groce led St. Mary's in scoring with 19 points. Sophomore guard Marcus Snipes registered 10 points and five rebounds for the Saints, while junior guard Trey Quinn had a team-high six rebounds.

Posted Feb. 26, 2008