Franklin’s Scoring Carries Taft Past El Camino Real in a Game for Fourth

Kevin Franklin scored 12 points in three minutes late in the fourth quarter as Taft High defeated El Camino Real, 74-72, Wednesday afternoon at El Camino Real.

El Camino Real led with seven minutes left in the game, 58-51, behind Rick Hergott’s game-high 29 points.

“At that time I really didn’t think we had that much of a chance,” Taft Coach Jim Woodard said.

Franklin then went on his tear, connecting on four long-range jump shots, a three-point play and a free throw. Center Quincy Watts added a three-point play of his own, and Taft was in front for the first time since early in the second half, 66-64.

Kevin’s brother, Keith, was 4 for 4 from the free-throw line in the final minute to secure the win for Taft, which is 6-6 in league, 13-8 overall.

The game decided fourth place in the Valley 4-A League. Taft plays at Westchester on Friday night, and El Camino Real travels to play San Pedro, also on Friday.

In the first quarter, Watts kept Taft in the game. The 6-3 sophomore had nine of the Toreadors’ first 16 points, and pulled down four rebounds. Taft led by only one point at the time, however, because El Camino Real’s Hergott registered 10 points in the quarter.

“He always shoots the ball well against Taft,” said El Camino Real Coach Mike McNulty, whose team is 4-8 in league, 10-10 overall. “He’s got a lot of friends on that team.”

Forward Sean Davis scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Adam Sacks added 10 points for the Conquistadores.

Kevin Franklin led Taft scorers with 24 points, Watts had 20 points and Keith Franklin had 16, despite sitting out for most of the fourth quarter with four fouls.

TAFT--Kevin Franklin 24; Watts 20 and 7 rebounds; Keith Franklin 16; Kolinsky 4 and 8 rebounds; Roberts 8; Holland 2.

EL CAMINO REAL--Hergott 29; Sacks 10; Shaw 6; Davis 17 and 9 rebounds; Stephenson 2; Warner 8.