History In The Making ... The 'Cats Win A Three-Overtime Thriller In A Best Game Ever

Imagine being there when Michelangelo unveiled his masterpiece on the Sistene Chapel. Or when Bruce Springsteen sang “Born To Run” for the first time. Or when Forrest Gump first uttered the words, “My momma always said life was like a box of chocolates.”

Sometimes history takes place right before our very eyes, and we know it. We walk away with an indescribable feeling, wanting to tell the world what we just saw and yet seem woefully unable to do so. All we can mumble is “Awesome. Unbelievable. Incredible.” and then run our fingers through our hair, still not sure we witnessed what we saw.

That’s exactly the case about last night’s Franklin basketball game.

You know the essential parts of this story already. Three overtimes. An undefeated season stayed alive for yet another day. And it all took place in front of a jam-packed arena that was as noisy and raucous as they come. Wildcat faithful filled every seat and empty space and left the game speechless, partly because mere words seemed so inadequate, but also because of they lost their voices from screaming so much. In the end, it was a 78-75 victory over a very good (not to mention fairly arrogant) Chaminade Julienne team that had practically guaranteed a win.

Boy, did this feel great.

As has been the case all season, it was a total team effort. Scott Dwyer (pictured above right) came off the bench and hit some clutch free throws down the stretch. The Rossi twins – Jacob and Justin – patented what it means to get down and dirty inside the paint. Junior guard Travis Lakins made a steal late in regulation and popped a three-pointer just when the ‘Cats needed it most. And Eli Slaton solidified his status as the most unsung hero in the history of high school sports, doing everything and then some…quietly.

It was a total team effort. Give credit to every single one of them, plus the coaches, the managers, the student body and even the trainers.

Have I left anything out? Hmm, I don’t think so. Let me see…

Oh yeah. Luke Kennard.

Eli Staton connects on the first of two big free throws.

You can’t believe the way Luke Kennard (above left) played. You want to talk about speechless? This effort was beyond description.

He lived up to every advance billing you’ve ever heard about him, and then some. He played every minute, was involved in every key moment, and kept his composure the whole time.

Whatever you’ve ever heard about Luke, that he’s quick and a good outside shooter and seems to be unfazed in any set of circumstances, believe it.

Whatever you’ve thought about Luke, that he works inside as well as his dad Mark and shoots outside as well as his uncle Todd (the top scorers in Franklin history), think it even more.

Whatever destiny you wonder he might have (Michigan, Ohio State, the Moon), mark it down.

Luke Kennard took control of this game last night and made it his own. The fact he scored 33 points, more than any player on the floor, is a big indicator of that, but there’s much more to it. He did with ball-handling in crucial situations, a couple of three-pointers when it seemed like the ‘Cats were down for the count, and then two free throws in the final overtime that cushioned the lead.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more impressive display in one basketball game. And he's only a freshman.

You know, freshmen rarely play in games this big. They come in for a few minutes just to give a starter a rest, then excuse themselves to the locker room so they can just throw up.

Freshmen rarely take a shot. They rarely even handle the ball. Their best use is to plant themselves underneath the opponent’s star player and try to draw a charge. They sacrifice a concussion for the good of the team.

But Luke’s different. He made this game his own.

C-J has some experienced, talented upperclassmen who’ve made the Eagles the good (and cocky) team they are. But they were taken down by a kid who doesn’t even have a driver’s license yet.

And did you see him gloat or throw a finger in C-J’s face, which I wanted to see? Not a chance. It’s not his style.

Instead, he was Spielberg behind the camera, and Grishman at the keyboard. He was John Meyer behind the microphone, and Van Gogh in front of the easel.

He was the lead engineer of what will forever be regarded as one of the greatest games in Franklin High School history.

It was awesome, so memorable and yet so much more.

A Masterpiece.

March 4, 2012. More than 9,000 watched the 'Cats play Thurgood Marshall at UD Arena.