Saturday got started with a high-scoring contest featuring Columbus Marion Franklin against Centennial out of Georgia. Marion Franklin, a Columbus City League school, was able to shoot nearly 51% from the floor, get to the foul-line 37 times, and out rebound the Knights (41-31) en route to an 83-75 triumph.Centennial jumped out to a 26-16 lead after one quarter led by senior guard Devonta' White. The Georgia State commit scored 14 points in the first period including four triples.
The Red Devils (7-2) were able to slightly cut into the lead in the 2nd quarter behind 6-foot-8 sophomore Elijah Macon's six points. Still, the Knights took a 41-33 lead into the locker room.
Marion Franklin was able to flex its muscles in the 3rd quarter eventually knotting the score at 47 and taking the lead on a Trevon Youngblood triple with 2:49 remaining in the quarter. Senior guard Dejaun McGaughy scored 11 points in the quarter for the Red Devils giving them a 56-52 advantage after three.
Franklin would score 27 points in the final quarter to seal the deal. Macon, a WVU commit, was scoreless in the final quarter but was 5-of-7 from the free-throw line and pulled in six boards. McGaughy scored seven more in the fourth and senior Jeremy McCoy and 6-foot-5 junior Nate Spears had five each.
Guard Jeremy Burgess and White tried to keep things interesting in the final frame, but their efforts came up short. Burgess had nine in the quarter on three bonus balls and White equaled Burgess' output.
For the contest, McGaughy led the Red Devils with 22 points on 7-of-14 shooting, while Macon added 15 points and 11 rebounds and Spears contributing 13 and 11. Youngblood chipped in with 11 points and Raimaire Brown had 10 points. McCoy added eight point and seven dimes.
Centennial (11-4) got a game-high 28 points from White along with six rebounds and six assists. Junior Nathan Harries scored 13 points and ripped down seven boards and senior Adrian Rodgers had 11 and 10. Burgess finished with 11 points.
