Girls state hoops: Franklin looks to end a 22-year drought in title game

There was no wild celebration at mid-court, no chest-pounding.

A few high-fives, a few hugs and it was on to the next goal: the state championship game.

It looked like the Franklin High School girls basketball program had been here before. So what if it’s  been more than 20 years?

“We’re excited, we’re glad to be here,” Broncos coach Mona Sumblin said after Wednesday’s victory over Bland County in the Group A Division 1 state semifinals. “We’ve got goals, and this is one of our goals. We’re almost there. We’ve got one more to go.”

That final hurdle comes today when Franklin (23-1) plays Buffalo Gap (22-5) at 11 a.m. at the Siegel Center.

The Broncos are vying for the program’s first state crown since they won a Group AA title in 1986. 

Buffalo Gap hasn’t won a girls basketball state title since 1984.

Franklin has dominated the Tri-Rivers District, losing only one game since the 2004-05 season. But the Broncos were shut out in the state tournament until this season, the first that the VHSL split Group A basketball into two divisions.

Sumblin has coached at Franklin for 25 years, and she guided the Broncos to that previous  state title. She has had talented teams since, but each one fell short of the state semifinals.

Franklin’s only loss this season came against  Group AA Greensville County. The Broncos have won 17 consecutive games since, mostly by using a balanced offense and smothering pressure defense.

All five starters average at least seven points per game , and Sumblin often substitutes freely, keeping her players’ legs fresh on defense. 

The defensive goal is simple.

“Turnovers,” said sophomore Keshara Bradley, whose team forced 30 in the state semifinals. “Stop the ball and get steals. Once we get the press, we stop them and play our game.”

Franklin takes on a Buffalo Gap team led by junior forward Sara Lamneck (12 ppg, 9.5 rpg) and junior guard Renee Burford (9.5 ppg). The Bison are making their first state tournament appearance since 2004 and, like Franklin, has waited a long time for a state crown.

Sumblin was all smiles after Franklin’s semifinal victory, reveling in being back.

“It means everything; it’s been a long time coming,” she said. “I thought we’d be back (in the state final) two years ago. We had the talent and didn’t get it done. Now, we’re here.”