HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS : Franklin’s Bombs Sink Birmingham : Boys’ City 3-A: Panthers win first title with long-range rally.

The feeling of the City Section 3-A Division championship is still in Coach Al Bennett’s fingers.

After Birmingham High’s disappointing 64-57 loss to Franklin in the 3-A final at Cal State Dominguez Hills Friday night, it’s certain that Bennett isn’t the only one with that sensation.

Franklin (23-5) rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit to capture the title, the first in school history for the Panthers.

Guard Jeff Deno led Franklin’s comeback by hitting three consecutive three-point attempts in the third quarter.

When Johnnie Sanders added the Panthers’ fourth three-pointer of the quarter, Franklin entered the final period with a 46-45 lead.

“Have you ever seen a team shoot that well?” Bennett asked in disbelief.

“They were unconscious. Some of those shots looked like they were from out of bounds.”

Deno finished with 15 points and hit five of six long-range shots. Sanders led Franklin with 21 points.

Scott James, Birmingham’s all-time leader in three-pointers, tried to match Franklin’s long-range success and made six three-pointers.

But he couldn’t hit the clutch shot for the Braves.

“This is horrible,” James said. “They got so hot so fast.”

James finished with 20 points, while sophomore David Redmond had 17 points and 13 rebounds.