6A-SOUTH BOYS

Layoff no problem for Parkview

Little Rock Parkview’s Javon Franklin (22) and Jaylen Franklin (12) battle for a rebound with Shaheed Halk (3) and Jake Scoggins during a game Friday night at Ripley Arena in Little Rock.
Little Rock Parkview’s Javon Franklin (22) and Jaylen Franklin (12) battle for a rebound with Shaheed Halk (3) and Jake Scoggins during a game Friday night at Ripley Arena in Little Rock.

A nine-day layoff didn't deter Little Rock Parkview in its 6A-South Conference opener Friday night against Benton.

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Little Rock Parkview’s Khalil Garland (23) works his way past Benton’s Westin Riddick during Friday’s game in Little Rock. Garland finished with 12 points as Parkview won 59-35.

Javon Franklin had 19 points and nine rebounds as the Patriots routed the Panthers 59-35 at Charles Ripley Arena in Little Rock.

Franklin was one of three players to score at least 10 points for the Patriots (10-3, 1-0 6A-South), who hadn't played since beating Plano, Texas, in the championship game of the Whataburger Tournament on Dec. 31 in Fort Worth.

Parkview's three losses have come against Class 7A Fort Smith Northside, Class 6A North Little Rock and Memphis Hamilton.

Parkview Coach Al Flanigan liked how his team responded against a Benton team led by first-year Coach Dexter Hendrix.

"I knew we were going to sort of have a big head, but they played well," Flanigan said. "This was a big conference win. They're ready for the big test."

Khalil Garland scored 12 points while Ethan Henderson added 10 points for the Patriots.

Three players scored nine points for Benton (9-5, 0-1) -- Clay Anderson, Tyrin Hollis and Westin Riddick. Riddick made 3 three-pointers while Anderson had two three-pointers.

Parkview led 12-5 after the first quarter, holding Benton to 1 of 11 shooting. The Patriots used a 10-2 run in the second quarter to increase their lead to 24-13 at halftime. Benton was limited to 4-of-16 shooting in the first 16 minutes.

"We got some good looks, but we had a cold start," Hendrix said. "We're playing one of the best teams in the state and one of the best coaches in the state tonight. We knew we had a tough task. We've got a young team and jumping into a first conference game in a place like this, that's a challenge."

Franklin scored nine of his 19 points in the third quarter as Parkview outscored Benton 22-10 to extend its lead to 46-23 going into the fourth quarter.

Parkview shot 20 of 36 (56 percent) from the floor and made 19 of 29 (66 percent) free throws. Benton struggled from the floor, shooting 11 of 45 (24 percent).

BENTON (35)

Hollis 4 1-2 9, Anderson 2 3-6 9, Scoggins 1 0-0 2, Maertens 1 2-2 4, Warhurst 0 0-0 0, Riddick 3 0-0 9, Humble 1 0-1 2. Totals 12 6-11 35.

LR PARKVIEW (59)

Walker 3 2-2 8, Jay. Franklin 1 0-1 2, Pippins 1 5-8 7, Jav. Franklin 8 3-3 19, Garland 4 4-7 12, Henderson 3 4-6 10, White 0 1-2 1. Totals 20 19-29 59.

Benton (9-5);5 8 10 12 -- 35

LR Parkview (10-3);12 12 22 13 -- 59

Three-point goals -- Benton 5 (Riddick 3), LR Parkview 0. Team fouls -- Benton 20, LR Parkview 11. Fouled out -- Warhurst, Scoggins.

Sports on 01/10/2015

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