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High school basketball: Laneah Bryan does it all for Cougars
By Mark Rudi / El Paso Times
Franklin point guard Laneah Bryan burst onto the area high school basketball scene last season by leading the Cougars to the postseason.
This year, Bryan had another tremendous year as a senior. She led the Cougars to a District 1-5A championship with a 13-1 district record, a bi-district title and to a 21-5 overall record. All while averaging 20.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.5 steals per game.
For her efforts, Bryan is the El Paso Times' All-City Girls Basketball Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
"My career at Franklin was great," Bryan said. "I loved playing for Coach (Marlee) Webb. I think it was probably my best year of high school basketball. I love it here. I loved every moment about it. It was great playing here. Playing in El Paso was fun. I wouldn't change it for the world."
Bryan played her first two years of high school basketball at Volcano Vista High School in Albuquerque, helping it to a New Mexico Class 5A state championship in 2012.
"She did a great job," Webb said. "The first thing being that she adjusted to a new coaching staff and a new system. We had four returning varsity players and she was able to lead that team into the success that we had."
Bryan scored 20 points or more in 18 games this season. Her season high was 32 against Canutillo on Nov. 5 and also scored 30 against Albuquerque West Mesa on Dec. 27.
She was also named to the Class 5A All-State team by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
"I thought we had a great season," Bryan said. "We didn't end district the way we wanted to, we didn't the season the way we wanted to. But, in the big picture, we had a really great season. We had a complete new program, new coaches, new everything. And we still ended up on top of district and really doing great here in El Paso. I'm really proud of it."
Bryan will continue her basketball career in her hometown of Albuquerque, verbally committing to the University of New Mexico last month.
"I'm so excited," Bryan said about playing at UNM. "It's my hometown. I grew up watching them play. It's great to move to El Paso, a great city, do everything that I did here and then have the opportunity to move back."
Mark Rudi may be reached at 546-6168.
This year, Bryan had another tremendous year as a senior. She led the Cougars to a District 1-5A championship with a 13-1 district record, a bi-district title and to a 21-5 overall record. All while averaging 20.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.5 steals per game.
For her efforts, Bryan is the El Paso Times' All-City Girls Basketball Player of the Year for the second consecutive season.
"My career at Franklin was great," Bryan said. "I loved playing for Coach (Marlee) Webb. I think it was probably my best year of high school basketball. I love it here. I loved every moment about it. It was great playing here. Playing in El Paso was fun. I wouldn't change it for the world."
Bryan played her first two years of high school basketball at Volcano Vista High School in Albuquerque, helping it to a New Mexico Class 5A state championship in 2012.
"She did a great job," Webb said. "The first thing being that she adjusted to a new coaching staff and a new system. We had four returning varsity players and she was able to lead that team into the success that we had."
Bryan scored 20 points or more in 18 games this season. Her season high was 32 against Canutillo on Nov. 5 and also scored 30 against Albuquerque West Mesa on Dec. 27.
She was also named to the Class 5A All-State team by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
"I thought we had a great season," Bryan said. "We didn't end district the way we wanted to, we didn't the season the way we wanted to. But, in the big picture, we had a really great season. We had a complete new program, new coaches, new everything. And we still ended up on top of district and really doing great here in El Paso. I'm really proud of it."
Bryan will continue her basketball career in her hometown of Albuquerque, verbally committing to the University of New Mexico last month.
"I'm so excited," Bryan said about playing at UNM. "It's my hometown. I grew up watching them play. It's great to move to El Paso, a great city, do everything that I did here and then have the opportunity to move back."
Mark Rudi may be reached at 546-6168.
All-District Girls Basketball Teams
High School Basketball
Girls All-District Teams
District 1-5A
2013-2014
Most Valuable Player Laneah Bryan, Sr. Franklin
Offensive MVP Olivia Fino, So. Coronado
Defensive MVP Adeola Akomolafe, Jr. El Dorado
Carlie Akina, Sr. Franklin
Jenessa Taylor, Jr. Franklin
Rachel Chavez, Jr. Coronado
Brittney Valenzuela, Sr. Coronado
Ciara Fields, Jr. El Dorado
Caitlyn Campa, Sr. El Dorado
Pamela Herrera, So. Bel Air
Shannon Powell, Jr. Bel Air
Linae Ramos, Jr. Bel Air
Sarah Skov, Sr. Eastwood
Damaris Ramos, Sr. Socorro
Jackie Perez, Sr. Americas
Alejandra Pasilles, Sr. Montwood
Honorable Mention
Blair Robalin, Sr. Franklin
Meagan Bean, So. Coronado
Camille Martin, Jr. Coronado
6 area girls basketball players named to TGCA Academic All-State teams
Six area girls basketball players have been to the Texas Girls Coaches Association Academic All-State girls basketball teams.
Student-athletes must have at least a 94 GPA and have to be seniors to qualify for the TGCA Academic All-State teams.
Coronado's Samantha Cooney, Franklin's Blair Robalin and Franklin's Amber Williams were all named to the TGCA Class 5A Academic All-State Girls Basketball Team while Jefferson's Nakedra Burke and Jefferson's Oksana Fierro were named to the Class 4A Academic All-State Girls Basketball Team.
Student-athletes must have at least a 94 GPA and have to be seniors to qualify for the TGCA Academic All-State teams.
Coronado's Samantha Cooney, Franklin's Blair Robalin and Franklin's Amber Williams were all named to the TGCA Class 5A Academic All-State Girls Basketball Team while Jefferson's Nakedra Burke and Jefferson's Oksana Fierro were named to the Class 4A Academic All-State Girls Basketball Team.
High school girls basketball: Franklin's Bryan commits to Lobos
By Mark Rudi / El Paso TimesPosted: 03/21/2014 12:00:00 AM MDT
Franklin senior guard Laneah Bryan has made her choice of where she wants to play college basketball.
The Cougar standout, and one of the best players in the city, has verbally committed to the University of New Mexico.
"I really like the coaches there and I think it's place where I can be successful," Bryan said. "They have great facilities and The Pit's a great place to play at. I played there my sophomore year when we won state. It's an amazing arena to play at."
The 5-foot-6 Bryan also had an offer from the Air Force Academy.
She averaged 20.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.5 steals this past season in leading Franklin to a 21-5 overall record and a District 1-5A championship with a 13-1 district record. She was also named the District 1-5A MVP for this season and Class 5A All-State by the Texas Girls Coaches Association.
"Very smart, very unselfish," Franklin coach Marlee Webb said about Bryan. "She can score from multiple types, she understands the game. I think she's the kind of kid people follow and will be a positive influence in our program."
Bryan was also named El Paso Times' All-City MVP last year in her junior season, leading the Cougars to the postseason. Before transferring to Franklin, she was a key part of Albuquerque Volcano Vista's 2012 New Mexico Class 5A state championship team. She wad named to New Mexico Coaches Association Class 5A All-State second team that season as well.
"I'm so excited that I have the opportunities that I have," Bryan said. " I'm really blessed to be able to play at the next level. Not a lot of people make it to that level. I'm just super excited and ready to start training hard and get ready for that level."
High school girls basketball: Franklin wins battle of No.1 vs. No. 2 teams
By Mark Rudi / El Paso TimesPosted: 01/18/2014 12:00:00 AM MST
The Franklin girls basketball team has played solid defense all season long.
And on Friday night, the Cougars' defense contested a lot of Coronado shots, also causing the Thunderbirds to take a lot of bad shots, to give top-ranked Franklin a 55-47 win over No. 2 Coronado at Coronado High School.
"We've just been working a lot in practice," said Franklin junior wing Jenessa Taylor, who had a double-double with 10 points and 16 rebounds. "Coach is very big on defense. And it's working."
With the win, Franklin sweeps the season series against its west side rival and has won 14 out of its last 15 games.
Leading 14-10 in the first quarter, Franklin (9-0 in District 1-5A) would go on a 13-0 run in the first half to lead 29-10 with 5:14 left in the second quarter and took a 33-22 lead into halftime.
The Cougars extended their lead to 40-22 with two minutes left in the third quarter, holding the Thunderbirds to only four points in the third quarter and led 42-26 heading into the final eight minutes.
"Offensively, things weren't running really smooth for us once they went into their man," Franklin head coach Marlee Webb said. "So, we had to make a stand at one point. I thought that's where our mental toughness has come so far and that's where we made the stand defensively. It was a great job and a great effort, I thought."
Coronado (7-2 in district) was able to make a run in the fourth quarter by cutting down the Franklin lead to 10 four times in the final three minutes and to eight twice in the final minute, but couldn't get any closer.
Senior post Carlie Akina also had a double-double for the Cougars with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
"We've been working super hard in practice," said Cougar senior point guard Laneah Bryan, who scored a game-high 27 points. "We just really want it. Each person on this team wants it. And defense, we're about team defense. And that's what it comes down to is the defense and working hard."
Sophomore guard Olivia Fino led the T-Birds with 17 points, 13 of those in the second half and senior guard Brittney Valenzuela had nine points for Coronado.
Mark Rudi may be reached at 546-6168.
High school girls basketball: Franklin's defense leads to win over Bel Air
By Mark Rudi / El Paso TimesPosted: 01/22/2014 12:00:00 AM MST
The Franklin girls basketball team prides itself on being a good defensive team.
And this season, it's been a big reason why the top-ranked Cougars have been successful.
The Cougars, who are giving up just 37.8 points per game, had another solid defensive effort Tuesday night in a 50-38 win over No. 5 Bel Air in a District 1-5A matchup at Franklin High School. The Cougars also stayed undefeated in District 1-5A, improving to 10-0 with four games left in the regular season.
"They're a good scoring team so we knew we were going to have to get after it," Franklin coach Marlee Webb said. "We had a few too many fouls, which was frustrating. But, we'll take it.
"It (being solid on defense) is something that I've done as a coach for a long time. I had to get them to believe that, that's the best way for us to win. The credit goes to them because they've worked their tails off to become that kind of team."
Franklin led 9-4 at the end of the first quarter and outscored the Highlanders 13-6 in the second quarter to lead 22-10 at halftime.
The Cougars would later increase their lead to as much as 20 points in the third quarter and led 40-22 heading into the final eight minutes.
Senior guard Laneah Bryan led Franklin with 22 points and eight rebounds while senior post Carlie Akina had 15 points. Junior wing Jenessa Taylor also brought down 10 rebounds for the Cougars.
"I think after the Coronado game (last Friday night), we realized that defense is going to open things up," Akina said. "We've been working really hard on it."
Junior Shannon Powell led Bel Air with 19 points, including going 11-of-11 from the free-throw line, and junior Linae Ramos was also in double figures with 10 points for the Highlanders.
"It was a really weird game," Bel Air coach Clay Ward said. "We'd cut into their lead, then we'd make a mistake and they'd blow us out real quick. We could never really keep our momentum going. Coach Webb has built that team into a great championship-type team. They play defense like no other. They're very aggressive."
Mark Rudi may be reached at 546-6168.
High school basketball: Franklin's 2nd-half surge routs Eastwood Cougars turn up pressure; improve to 6-0 in District 1-5A
By Mark Rudi / El Paso TimesPosted: 01/08/2014 12:00:00 AM MST
In a tight, low-scoring ballgame in the first half against Eastwood, Franklin girls basketball coach Marlee Webb told her players they needed to get some intensity going in the second half.
Holding just a 17-13 lead over the Troopers at halftime, the Cougars did that, and picked up their defensive pressure, to outscore Eastwood 32-11 in the second half and rout the Troopers 49-24 Tuesday night at Eastwood High School. With the win, the Cougars stayed undefeated (6-0) in District 1-5A play.
"We kind of had a slow start," Cougar senior post Carlie Akina said. "But we got into the locker room (at halftime), coach kind of picked us up. We all came together as a team, pushed each other and that's what helped us out.
"We executed really well tonight."
The 24 points is the second fewest given up in a game this season by Franklin. The Cougars only gave up 20 points in a win over Albuquerque West Mesa on Dec. 27 and have given up 25 on two occasions earlier in the year.
Franklin (13-3 overall) trailed 8-3 early and 8-7 at the end of the first quarter before taking the four-point lead at halftime. After that, the Cougars went on a 16-2 run in the third quarter to lead 33-15 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Cougars kept that momentum up, going on a 10-3 run to start the final eight minutes and led 44-18 with just over three minutes left in the ballgame.
Franklin forced 14 second-half turnovers from the Troopers and 23 for the game.
"We just started pressuring more and that got our energy going," Cougars coach Marlee Webb said. "I thought that's what we really needed was the energy. Once we did that, we started executing better and it feel into place after that.
"Defensively, if we can be solid, those days where we're not shooting well or things aren't going our way, that will at least win us games."
Franklin point guard Laneah Bryan, who's averaging 20.5 points per game, had another stelar performance with 24 points on the night with 17 in the second half after she was in foul trouble in the second quarter.
Akina also had a solid game in the post with 11 points and seven rebounds while junior Jenessa Taylor also brought down eight rebounds for the Cougars.
Akina (10.5 points, 9.1 rebounds) and Taylor (10.1 points, 9.4 boards per game) are averaging nearly a double-double every game.
Eastwood (10-9 overall) had been competitive against other top District 1-5A teams, losing 46-40 to Bel Air and 47-42 to Coronado. However, the Troopers fall to 2-4 in District 1-5A play and went through a few scoring lulls Tuesday night.
Eastwood only scored two points in the third quarter and went about seven minutes without scoring a basket in the first half. Senior guard Sarah Skov led the Troopers with 10 points and five rebounds.
Mark Rudi may be reached at 546-6168.
High school girls basketball: Franklin overcomes sluggish start
By Mark Rudi / El Paso TimesPosted:
12/11/2013 12:00:00 AM MST
With Coronado jumping out to an early 7-0 lead, the Franklin girls basketball team was looking for a spark.
And helped out by offensive rebounding and defensive pressure, the No. 2 Cougars got the spark they needed in the first half. Franklin went a 14-0 run at one point during the first 16 minutes to lift the Cougars past No. 3 Coronado 46-39 in a District 1-5A game Tuesday night at Franklin High School.
"We started getting some offensive rebounds, which really helped us push the ball and get into our game," Cougar senior point guard Laneah Bryan said about their first-half run. "At the beginning, we started off slow. We needed a spark from our coach to light the fire under us to get things going."
The Cougars (8-2, 2-0 in District 1-5A) got another solid performance from senior guard Laneah Bryan with 24 points and 10 rebounds, 16 of those points in the second half, and junior Jenessa Taylor also had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Tuesday was the sixth straight game that Bryan has scored 20 points or more and the eighth time this season she's done that in a game.
After the T-Birds' 7-0 run, the Cougars went on a 8-0 run of their own and the game was tied 13-13 after the first quarter.
However, Franklin outscored Coronado 12-0 in the second quarter to take a 25-13 lead at halftime. The Cougars forced seven T-Bird turnovers in the second quarter.
"They didn't panic, that was one thing," Franklin coach Marlee Webb said. "Just needed to remind them that we needed to execute, settle down and play our style.
"In the beginning, we kind of tried to get in a track meet and be a offensive, just run and gun team. We needed to get back to what we needed to do. I think we settled down and did that a lot better in the second quarter."
The T-Birds were able to battle back and got the lead down to 27-20 and 32-26 in the third quarter. But every time Coronado would come within striking distance, the Cougars would answer. After sophomore Olivia Fino's basket cut the Franklin lead to 33-28 with 2:08 left in the third quarter, The Cougars finished the quarter on a 6-0 run and took a 40-28 lead heading into the final eight minutes.
The T-Birds (10-2, 2-1) would cut the Franklin lead to eight twice and seven once and to five (44-39) off sophomore Meagan Bean's bucket off a Camille Martin steal with 52.9 seconds left in the game. But Coronado couldn't get any closer.
Franklin was solid on the boards all night and offensive rebounding really helped the Cougars out.
The Cougars out rebounded Coronado 26-15 in the first half and 47-30 for the game. Franklin also had 22 offensive rebounds, which led to numerous second-chance points.
Franklin senior post Carlie Akina was key on the glass with 13 rebounds.
Fino led the Thunderbirds with 17 points, 14 of those in the second half, and sophomore Brittany Valenzuela added another nine points for Coronado.
"Rebounding kind of hurt us," T-Birds coach Kristi Graham said. "We knew they were a great rebounding team. They have some bigs that can jump and rebound hard. That's what we had to do and we just didn't get it done on the boards."
Mark Rudi may be reached at 546-6168.
And helped out by offensive rebounding and defensive pressure, the No. 2 Cougars got the spark they needed in the first half. Franklin went a 14-0 run at one point during the first 16 minutes to lift the Cougars past No. 3 Coronado 46-39 in a District 1-5A game Tuesday night at Franklin High School.
"We started getting some offensive rebounds, which really helped us push the ball and get into our game," Cougar senior point guard Laneah Bryan said about their first-half run. "At the beginning, we started off slow. We needed a spark from our coach to light the fire under us to get things going."
The Cougars (8-2, 2-0 in District 1-5A) got another solid performance from senior guard Laneah Bryan with 24 points and 10 rebounds, 16 of those points in the second half, and junior Jenessa Taylor also had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Tuesday was the sixth straight game that Bryan has scored 20 points or more and the eighth time this season she's done that in a game.
After the T-Birds' 7-0 run, the Cougars went on a 8-0 run of their own and the game was tied 13-13 after the first quarter.
However, Franklin outscored Coronado 12-0 in the second quarter to take a 25-13 lead at halftime. The Cougars forced seven T-Bird turnovers in the second quarter.
"They didn't panic, that was one thing," Franklin coach Marlee Webb said. "Just needed to remind them that we needed to execute, settle down and play our style.
"In the beginning, we kind of tried to get in a track meet and be a offensive, just run and gun team. We needed to get back to what we needed to do. I think we settled down and did that a lot better in the second quarter."
The T-Birds were able to battle back and got the lead down to 27-20 and 32-26 in the third quarter. But every time Coronado would come within striking distance, the Cougars would answer. After sophomore Olivia Fino's basket cut the Franklin lead to 33-28 with 2:08 left in the third quarter, The Cougars finished the quarter on a 6-0 run and took a 40-28 lead heading into the final eight minutes.
The T-Birds (10-2, 2-1) would cut the Franklin lead to eight twice and seven once and to five (44-39) off sophomore Meagan Bean's bucket off a Camille Martin steal with 52.9 seconds left in the game. But Coronado couldn't get any closer.
Franklin was solid on the boards all night and offensive rebounding really helped the Cougars out.
The Cougars out rebounded Coronado 26-15 in the first half and 47-30 for the game. Franklin also had 22 offensive rebounds, which led to numerous second-chance points.
Franklin senior post Carlie Akina was key on the glass with 13 rebounds.
Fino led the Thunderbirds with 17 points, 14 of those in the second half, and sophomore Brittany Valenzuela added another nine points for Coronado.
"Rebounding kind of hurt us," T-Birds coach Kristi Graham said. "We knew they were a great rebounding team. They have some bigs that can jump and rebound hard. That's what we had to do and we just didn't get it done on the boards."
Mark Rudi may be reached at 546-6168.
High school girls basketball: No. 2 Franklin, No. 3 Coronado meet in District 1-5A matchup
By Mark Rudi / El Paso TimesPosted: 12/10/2013 12:00:00 AM MST
District 1-5A seems to be a battle every season and every night in girls basketball. This season is no different.
The top three ranked teams in the city are all in that district and two of them battle each other tonight as No. 3 Coronado visits No. 2 Franklin.
Both teams are off to solid starts this season with the Cougars being 7-2 overall, 1-0 in district play. The Thunderbirds are 10-1 overall and 2-0 in District 1-5A.
"This season's been really good and we've really been working hard," Franklin senior guard Laneah Bryan said. "But the (big) games are coming up. We're really excited about Coronado. We're just preparing as best as we can. They're a really good team and we're just going to have to play really tough out there."
Bryan, who was the El Paso Times' All-City MVP last season, has led the Cougars this season by averaging more than 20 points per game. She had 26 points in a 86-55 win over Oñate Friday night. Fraklin also has been led by senior post Carlie Akina (11 points, 9.4 rebounds per game) and junior post Jenessa Taylor (11,5 rebounds per game).
While Coronado only returned three players from last season's team, its underclassman have stepped up and the team has solid guard play.
Coronado has been led by sophomore guards Olivia Fino (12.9 points, 3.2 assists, 8.0 rebounds and 3,6 steals per game) and Meagan Bean (11.6 points per game). The T-Birds have also had solid production from junior wing Rachel Chavez with 9.3 points per game.
"So far, our season has gone along good," Coronado coach Kristi Graham said, "We're still going through some growing pains because our team is so very young. Everybody's new and they're just trying to find they're chemistry and get a feel for how we want to play the style of basketball that we want to play.
"We're all going to have to be focused and disciplined. That's going to be the key, I think. Franklin is a well coached team. We're going to have our work cut our for us. But if we stay focused and disciplined and focused, I think that will help us out a lot in this game."
Mark Rudi may be reached at 546-6168.
What: No. 3 Coronado vs. No. 2 Franklin in the high school girls basketball game of the night.
When: 6 p.m. today
Where: Franklin High School, 900 N Resler.
The top three ranked teams in the city are all in that district and two of them battle each other tonight as No. 3 Coronado visits No. 2 Franklin.
Both teams are off to solid starts this season with the Cougars being 7-2 overall, 1-0 in district play. The Thunderbirds are 10-1 overall and 2-0 in District 1-5A.
"This season's been really good and we've really been working hard," Franklin senior guard Laneah Bryan said. "But the (big) games are coming up. We're really excited about Coronado. We're just preparing as best as we can. They're a really good team and we're just going to have to play really tough out there."
Bryan, who was the El Paso Times' All-City MVP last season, has led the Cougars this season by averaging more than 20 points per game. She had 26 points in a 86-55 win over Oñate Friday night. Fraklin also has been led by senior post Carlie Akina (11 points, 9.4 rebounds per game) and junior post Jenessa Taylor (11,5 rebounds per game).
While Coronado only returned three players from last season's team, its underclassman have stepped up and the team has solid guard play.
Coronado has been led by sophomore guards Olivia Fino (12.9 points, 3.2 assists, 8.0 rebounds and 3,6 steals per game) and Meagan Bean (11.6 points per game). The T-Birds have also had solid production from junior wing Rachel Chavez with 9.3 points per game.
"So far, our season has gone along good," Coronado coach Kristi Graham said, "We're still going through some growing pains because our team is so very young. Everybody's new and they're just trying to find they're chemistry and get a feel for how we want to play the style of basketball that we want to play.
"We're all going to have to be focused and disciplined. That's going to be the key, I think. Franklin is a well coached team. We're going to have our work cut our for us. But if we stay focused and disciplined and focused, I think that will help us out a lot in this game."
Mark Rudi may be reached at 546-6168.
What: No. 3 Coronado vs. No. 2 Franklin in the high school girls basketball game of the night.
When: 6 p.m. today
Where: Franklin High School, 900 N Resler.
Player of the week: Laneah Bryan
Posted: 12/01/2013 10:08:26 AM MST
Who >> Laneah Bryan.
Class >> Senior.
Position >> Guard on the Franklin High School girls basketball team.
Highlights >> Bryan scored 20 points in the No. 2 Cougars' 54-48 win over Mayfield on Tuesday night.
Motivation >> "Our team works good together. Our chemistry was working really well and we've been on that. And I couldn't have done anything without them."
High school girls basketball: Franklin pressure beats Mayfield
By Mark Rudi / El Paso Times
"We all played really strong together," Franklin senior guard Laneah Bryan said. "Our defensive pressure definitely helped us in this game. It helped us get some momentum going. Everyone really stepped up well."
With the exception of a 15-15 tie early in the second quarter, the Cougars (5-2) led the entire way. But despite having 29 turnovers for the game, 18 of those in the first half, the Trojans (1-1) hung around the entire game.
Franklin carried a 44-36 lead into the fourth quarter, but after Mayfield cut the lead down to five (44-38), the Cougars extended the lead to 50-39 and led 52-41 with 3:55 to go after Carlie Akina put back a offensive rebound off her own miss.
The Trojans cut the lead down to 52-47 with 1:24 to go and had to chance to make it a three-point ballgame after getting a steal on the Franklin inbound. But the Trojans missed the shot and the Cougars' Janessa Taylor grabbed the rebound. Akina, who was foul trouble a majority of the game, later scored on that possession to extend the lead to 54-47 with 1:03 to go in the game.
Mayfield could only muster one made free throw in the final minute.
"They played so hard and so together," Franklin coach Marlee Webb said. "And that's what was so fun about the whole thing. They're buying in and you can start to see that pride. And it's really great."
Bryan scored 20 points while Taylor had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Akina added eight points, with four of those points and four rebounds in the fourth quarter.
"I think this win will give us a lot of momentum," Taylor said.
The Trojans, who finished runner-up in New Mexico Class 5A last season, were led by UTEP signee Daeshi McCants with 23 points.
Franklin jumped out to a early 11-6 lead and led 13-11 at the end of the first quarter after a 5-0 run from the Trojans. After Mayfield tied the game at 15-15 with 6:23 left in the second quarter, the Cougars went on a 9-2 run to extend the lead to 24-17. The Trojans were able to cut it the lead to 26-22 with a under a minute to go in the first half, but Franklin extended the lead to 33-22 at halftime.
"There's no question about it, we played hard," Mayfield coach George Maya said. "But you just can't have that many turnovers. And that's because of them. Defensively, they played really well and give us fits."
Mark Rudi may be reached at 546-6168.
With the exception of a 15-15 tie early in the second quarter, the Cougars (5-2) led the entire way. But despite having 29 turnovers for the game, 18 of those in the first half, the Trojans (1-1) hung around the entire game.
Franklin carried a 44-36 lead into the fourth quarter, but after Mayfield cut the lead down to five (44-38), the Cougars extended the lead to 50-39 and led 52-41 with 3:55 to go after Carlie Akina put back a offensive rebound off her own miss.
The Trojans cut the lead down to 52-47 with 1:24 to go and had to chance to make it a three-point ballgame after getting a steal on the Franklin inbound. But the Trojans missed the shot and the Cougars' Janessa Taylor grabbed the rebound. Akina, who was foul trouble a majority of the game, later scored on that possession to extend the lead to 54-47 with 1:03 to go in the game.
Mayfield could only muster one made free throw in the final minute.
"They played so hard and so together," Franklin coach Marlee Webb said. "And that's what was so fun about the whole thing. They're buying in and you can start to see that pride. And it's really great."
Bryan scored 20 points while Taylor had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Akina added eight points, with four of those points and four rebounds in the fourth quarter.
"I think this win will give us a lot of momentum," Taylor said.
The Trojans, who finished runner-up in New Mexico Class 5A last season, were led by UTEP signee Daeshi McCants with 23 points.
Franklin jumped out to a early 11-6 lead and led 13-11 at the end of the first quarter after a 5-0 run from the Trojans. After Mayfield tied the game at 15-15 with 6:23 left in the second quarter, the Cougars went on a 9-2 run to extend the lead to 24-17. The Trojans were able to cut it the lead to 26-22 with a under a minute to go in the first half, but Franklin extended the lead to 33-22 at halftime.
"There's no question about it, we played hard," Mayfield coach George Maya said. "But you just can't have that many turnovers. And that's because of them. Defensively, they played really well and give us fits."
Mark Rudi may be reached at 546-6168.
High school girls basketball season preview: Franklin begins season at No. 1
Veteran coach Webb leads new team with high expectations
By Mark Rudi / El Paso Times
The Marlee Webb tenure is set to begin at Franklin High School.
After building Chapin into one of the best girls basketball programs in the city, the coach is looking to continue that success at Franklin. And the Cougars, who have earned the No. 1 spot in the El Paso Times' Preseason Girls Basketball Rankings, looked poised for a solid season.
"They've been very welcoming. They've been very energetic and enthusiastic," Webb said. "They're really excited to get going. We're behind, but we're really pushing and we're working extremely hard.
"We're going to get after it. We're not going to give up. We're going to play hard from start to finish. We try to just do the little things correctly."
Franklin, who went 19-9 overall last season and finished runner-up in District 1-5A with a 11-3 record, returns three starters, including senior point guard Laneah Bryan, who was the El Paso Times' All-City MVP last season. Senior forward Carlie Akina, an All-City honorable mention selection last year, and junior forward Janessa Taylor are the other returning starters. Bryan, Akina and Taylor were named to the All-District 1-5A team last season.
Senior guard Amber Williams will also be a key contributor this season.
"Obviously, we have very high expectations," Bryan said. "We've been working super hard. We all want to have a good year and we all want to come together with a new coaching staff and everything."
Mark Rudi may be reached at 546-6168.
After building Chapin into one of the best girls basketball programs in the city, the coach is looking to continue that success at Franklin. And the Cougars, who have earned the No. 1 spot in the El Paso Times' Preseason Girls Basketball Rankings, looked poised for a solid season.
"They've been very welcoming. They've been very energetic and enthusiastic," Webb said. "They're really excited to get going. We're behind, but we're really pushing and we're working extremely hard.
"We're going to get after it. We're not going to give up. We're going to play hard from start to finish. We try to just do the little things correctly."
Franklin, who went 19-9 overall last season and finished runner-up in District 1-5A with a 11-3 record, returns three starters, including senior point guard Laneah Bryan, who was the El Paso Times' All-City MVP last season. Senior forward Carlie Akina, an All-City honorable mention selection last year, and junior forward Janessa Taylor are the other returning starters. Bryan, Akina and Taylor were named to the All-District 1-5A team last season.
Senior guard Amber Williams will also be a key contributor this season.
"Obviously, we have very high expectations," Bryan said. "We've been working super hard. We all want to have a good year and we all want to come together with a new coaching staff and everything."
Mark Rudi may be reached at 546-6168.
Chapin High's Marlee Webb takes over girls basketball at Franklin
By Felix Chávez \ El Paso TimesPosted: 07/18/2013 12:03:06 AM MDT
Reporter
Felix Chavez
In 11 years as the varsity girls basketball coach at Chapin High School, Marlee Webb helped develop one of the best teams in District 1-4A.
Now, she'll get a chance to help make Franklin a power in District 1-5A.
The 39-year-old Webb was introduced as the Cougars coach Wednesday afternoon in front of administrators, other coaches and several players in the school's gym.
"It's an exciting new challenge," Webb said. "Franklin had a good season last year and returns good players. It was hard to tell the players at Chapin. There are great kids over there. We had lots of good years at Chapin and I was treated well."
"We feel like we have a good coach on board," said Franklin senior forward Carlie Akina. "We look forward to playing for Coach Webb."
Franklin point guard and this past season's El Paso Times' All-City Player of the Year Laneah Bryan said she's excited about her
Advertisement senior season. "I've heard a lot of positive things about Coach Webb," Bryan said. "We're excited about next season and we'll work hard to have another good season."
Webb was one of five candidates who interviewed for the job, according to Franklin principal Carla Gasway. Last season at Chapin, Webb and the Huskies were 27-5 and reached the area round of the state playoffs. Webb, who played at Hanks High School, was an assistant coach at New Mexico State and a standout player at Loyola Marymount.
"Marlee has a great deal of experience," Gasway said. "What impressed me is that she really has a desire to help the student-athletes get to the next level of basketball if they want to. She has a great passion for teaching the game."
Felix Chávez may be reached at [email protected]; 546-6167. Follow him on Twitter @fchavezeptimes
By Felix Chávez \ El Paso TimesPosted: 07/18/2013 12:03:06 AM MDT
Reporter
Felix Chavez
In 11 years as the varsity girls basketball coach at Chapin High School, Marlee Webb helped develop one of the best teams in District 1-4A.
Now, she'll get a chance to help make Franklin a power in District 1-5A.
The 39-year-old Webb was introduced as the Cougars coach Wednesday afternoon in front of administrators, other coaches and several players in the school's gym.
"It's an exciting new challenge," Webb said. "Franklin had a good season last year and returns good players. It was hard to tell the players at Chapin. There are great kids over there. We had lots of good years at Chapin and I was treated well."
"We feel like we have a good coach on board," said Franklin senior forward Carlie Akina. "We look forward to playing for Coach Webb."
Franklin point guard and this past season's El Paso Times' All-City Player of the Year Laneah Bryan said she's excited about her
Advertisement senior season. "I've heard a lot of positive things about Coach Webb," Bryan said. "We're excited about next season and we'll work hard to have another good season."
Webb was one of five candidates who interviewed for the job, according to Franklin principal Carla Gasway. Last season at Chapin, Webb and the Huskies were 27-5 and reached the area round of the state playoffs. Webb, who played at Hanks High School, was an assistant coach at New Mexico State and a standout player at Loyola Marymount.
"Marlee has a great deal of experience," Gasway said. "What impressed me is that she really has a desire to help the student-athletes get to the next level of basketball if they want to. She has a great passion for teaching the game."
Felix Chávez may be reached at [email protected]; 546-6167. Follow him on Twitter @fchavezeptimes