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Edgewood racking up wins; rally leads Cougars past Franklin

Edgewood comes from 7 points down to defeat Franklin for win No. 4.

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By Rick Cassano, Staff Writer Updated 8:27 AM Tuesday, December 13, 2011

TRENTON — Winning is finally starting to become contagious for Edgewood High School’s girls basketball team.

The Cougars, who haven’t had a winning record since going 11-10 in 2000-01, improved to 4-1 on Monday night, rallying from a seven-point deficit in the second half to sink visiting Franklin 59-46.

“Past Edgewood teams, I don’t know if we would have recovered,” Edgewood coach Greg Brown said. “They just kept their heads up and didn’t worry about their problems. They just believe.”

Junior forward Maura Hackney punished the Wildcats with 24 points and 14 rebounds, scoring 16 points after halftime.

Amanda Hobbs added 13 points for Edgewood, which outscored Franklin 30-10 over the final 10-plus minutes.

“It’s definitely better than Edgewood girls basketball has been in a while,” said Hackney, who matched her career-best scoring effort. “We just need to stay together and not let anything back us down. We’re a strong team.”

Freshman Brittany Marts sparked the EHS comeback, notching all seven of her points in the third period, and Hackney took over from there.

“I just got excited and thought we needed the win,” Hackney said. “Our attitudes changed in the second half.”

A 36-29 lead was the last enjoyable moment for the Wildcats (0-5), who found themselves on their heels when the Cougars’ pressure gained intensity.

“We needed a spark and we got it with our press, and we fed off that,” Brown said. “But I give a lot of credit to Franklin. They’re very scrappy. They came out with more energy and more zip than we did.”

Three players fouled out for Franklin, which was led in scoring by Chrissy Robinson (15), Sydney Lovelace (11) and Hayley Jones (10). The Wildcats buried nine 3-pointers.

“Foul trouble killed us,” Franklin coach Leah Zimmerman said. “I still thought it was the best and hardest we’ve played all year. I told the girls I’ve felt like I’m the only one that believes in their ability. Tonight, I saw renewed belief in themselves. I think it’s starting.”

Lovelace had seven rebounds for the Wildcats, who were 1-of-2 at the foul line (EHS was 13-of-23). Hobbs and Kasey McCall both grabbed eight boards, while Kelsey Swartz snagged seven, to boost the Cougars’ significant edge on the glass.

Marts and Hobbs had four assists apiece for Edgewood, which played without freshman point guard Jenna Brown (hip injury).

The Cougars will visit Harrison on Wednesday. Franklin hosts Middletown Christian on Tuesday, Dec. 20.

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