Byers' game-winning shot lifts Franklin over Kaplan

KAPLAN _ Franklin defeated Kaplan in dramatic fashion Friday night on a Jazmine Byers’ game-winning trey by a final score of 31-28 here at the Kaplan High School Gym.
Byers hit the game-winning shot from half court with three seconds left to play.
Franklin broke a 28-28 tie on Byers’ trey, pulling off the dramatic come-from-behind victory.
Kaplan led through three quarters until the final three seconds of the game. Kaplan jumped outfront by a 9-8 lead in the opening stanza. The Lady Pirates held a slim 16-15 lead at intermission. Kaplan took a narrow 22-21 lead at the end of the third quarter. Franklin managed to outscored Kaplan by a 10-6 margin in the final period, pulling out the heart-clutching victory on the last-second trey by Byers.
Jazmine Byers hit the game winning shot from half court with 3 seconds to go.
There was three lead changes in the last two minutes of the game. Franklin’s Aaliyah Smith hit a three-pointer with two minutes to go to tie the game.
Then Kenyoda Cormier hit a two-point basket in the paint to tie the game again with 1:20 to go.
Byers hit the three after Kaplan’s Tory Riggs missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 9.9 seconds to play.
Leading scorers for Franklin were Kaira Butler with 10 points on 4 FGS and 2 of 2 FTs. Sta’Trail Butler with 8 points on 4 FGs. Kenyoda Cormier with 5 points on 2 FGS and 1 of 2 FGs. Jazmine Byers with 5 points on 1 FG and 1 3-pointer and Aaliyah Smith finished with 3 points on 1 3-pointer.
Kaplan was led by Hallie Johnnie and Tory Rigg, each with 8 points.
The Lady Hornets now wait to see what and if the playoffs will call.