SPORTS

FRA boys return to Division II-A title game

Michael Murphy
USA TODAY NETWORK – Tennessee

Franklin Road Academy clinched its second straight Division II-A state championship appearance with Friday’s 73-55 semifinal win over St. George’s at Lipscomb’s Allen Arena.

St. George's Corey Jones (3) and FRA's Kyle Crudele (21) battle for the ball during their game in the 2017 TSSAA Division-II State Basketball Championships at Allen Arena Friday, March 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn.

“We had to make it back, we had no choice,” said FRA senior Jack Doherty, whose Panthers squandered a 31-point third-quarter lead in last year’s state championship loss to Harding Academy. “We had some unfinished business from last year and people doubted us all year long, wondering how good we’d be without (Lipscomb University freshman) Kenny Cooper.”

Doherty, a Richmond football signee, tallied a team-high 22 points to lead the Panthers (25-10), while teammate Tyler Roop finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds.

“When we play as a team I don’t think there’s anyone that can beat us,” added FRA’s C.J. Fayne, who finished with 10 points for the Panthers, who play Lausanne in Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. championship.

ReachMichael Murphy atmmurphy@tennessean.com, 615-259-8262 and on Twitter@Murph_TNsports