By Rob Centorani
Staff Writer

CHERRY VALLEY — There's still a ways to go, but Class C powers such as Seton Catholic Central and Delhi would be unwise to overlook Cherry-Valley Springfield come sectional time.

The Patriots bolted to a 13-point lead after one quarter and turned back several Franklin runs Tuesday en route to a 59-45 Tri-Valley League basketball victory.

Junior center Evan Lane used his wide, 6-foot-7 frame to score 19 points. He made it difficult for Franklin to establish much inside in leading CV-S to its ninth consecutive victory.

"I think that as long as we play with intensity, I don't think anyone can stop us," Lane said. "I'm looking forward to sectionals."

With Lane inside, steady point guard Devin Waldman running things and forward Kevin Mabie providing athleticism, the Patriots are going to be a tough out in the upcoming weeks.

Waldman and Lane each scored six points in the opening quarter as CV-S took a 17-4 lead. Waldman's penetration set up Lane for several easy baskets.

"Coach (Dave Armstrong) has been telling me to penetrate a lot," Waldman said. "If they collapse on me, I try and get the ball to (Lane)."

Waldman's baseline 3-pointer late in the quarter made it 17-4.

"We were on fire," Lane said. "The basket seemed really wide for us and I think that intimidated them a little bit."

But Franklin proved to be no pushover for the Patriots. The Purple Devils, behind a 19-point night from Chase Guernsey, recovered and pulled within 21-20 in the second quarter.

Guernsey scored 11 points in the quarter, hitting a 3-pointer, a variety of jumpers and a putback.

But after Franklin got within one, Lane scored eight points in a 10-2 spurt. By halftime, the Patriots' lead was 35-24.

"We reacted really well (to Franklin's runs)," Lane said. "We're a good team like that."

Franklin (11-3) limited CV-S to four points in the third quarter, but managed only nine itself. With Lane clogging the middle, the Devils settled for numerous perimeter shots.

"We probably shot more (3-pointers) than we should have," Franklin coach Jon Hillis said. "I try not to discourage them from taking them when we're in position, and we had good looks."

When Will Egan grabbed an offensive rebound and hit an 8-footer in the lane, Franklin's deficit was 39-35 with 7:52 left to play.

But a free throw by Chris Lusk, a putback by Mabie and two free throws from Lane restored the Patriots' lead to 44-35.

Guersney made a 3-pointer with 4:55 left, off a kick-out pass from Josh Taggart, to narrow the gap to 44-38.

But Mabie, who scored 13 points, all but ended any hopes of a Franklin comeback when he swished a 3-pointer along the baseline with 2:12 to play. It gave the Pats a 51-40 lead.

"That was a big, big 3 in the corner over there," Armstrong said.

Both teams have important road games on Friday.

Franklin plays at Milford in a matchup of teams with two losses in the Tri-Valley's Small School Division. The winner will have the inside track to the division title.

The Patriots play at Gilbertsville-Mount Upton. Both teams are atop the Large School Division at 7-1.

"That will be the defining point of the season in terms of the Tri-Valley League season," said Waldman, who scored 11 points and had 10 assists.

CV-S 59, FRANKLIN 45

FRANKLIN (11-3, 7-2): David Allen 0 0-0 0, Chase Guernsey 8 0-0 19, Jason Brower 0 0-0 0, Brenton Banks 0 0-0 0, Justin Worden 2 0-0 6, A.J. Zuk 0 0-0 0, Travis Carey 4 0-0 8, Garrett Scott 0 0- 0 0, Derrick DeBoer 0 0-0 0, Josh Taggart 1 0-0 2, Brent Whitney 0 0-0 0, Will Egan 4 2-2 10. TOTALS: 17 2-2 45.

CHERRY VALLEY-SPRINGFIELD (12-3, 7-1): Devin Waldman 2 6-8 11, Brad Johnson 0 0-0 0, Sam Harnett 1 0-0 2, Chris Lusk 3 3-5 9, Josh Hoag 0-2-2 2, Kevin Mabie 5 2-3 13, Brett Searles 0 0-0 0, Matt Richards 0 0-0 0, Stanley Horton 0 0-0 0, Marcus Weaver 0 0-0 0, Blake Armitstead 1 0-0 3, Evan Lane 8 3-4 19. TOTALS: 20 16-22 59.

Franklin 4 20 9 12 — 45

CV-S 17 18 4 20 — 59

Three-point field goals: F 5 (Guernsey 3, Worden 2); CV-S 3 (Waldman, Mabie, Armitstead). JV score: CV-S won.