MEADVILLE — A day after signing a football scholarship with Southern Miss, Jamie Collins assigned Loyd Star its second lost of the season by netting the game-winning free throw with 9 seconds remaining to lift his Franklin County Bulldogs to a thrilling 64-62 victory. Collins posted a game high 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a contest that featured seven different lead changes.

“This was the best shooting team that’s come in here in a long time,” said Franklin County head coach Chris Jordan said, referring to the Hornets solid shooting display. “We made some big plays down the stretch. Milton Griffin, Jordan Hunt and Jamie Collins had a good game.”

A charging foul by the Hornets (22-2) with 3 seconds remaining ended Loyd Star’s chances of snatching victory from defeat. The Hornets, coached by Gene ‘Moochie’ Britt, led 57-53 with 3:15 remaining after junior guard Joseph Shelby hit a 3-pointer. Turnovers and fouls down the stretch kept the Bulldogs within striking distance.

“I’m proud of our guys because we never gave up tonight,” said Britt, whose Hornets trailed by 13 in the first period before clawing back. “We had some questionable calls go against us in the final seconds and that hurt us.”

Britt’s Hornets got a team high 23 points from senior guard Ashton Fox. The Hornets led 36-33 at halftime after two clutch threes by Fox in the second quarter.

Franklin County sophomore guard Milton Griffin, who added the final free throw of the game after a desperation foul by the Hornets in the final seconds, added 16 points, six assists, and made two steals. Senior power forward Jordan Hunt added 15 points.

“It was a real good game between two good teams,” Britt said. “We played hard against a top 3A school tonight. Coach Jordan has a good bunch.”

The Bulldogs (12-7), undefeated in the Division 7-3A standings at 11-0, travel to Jefferson County Friday night for the final division game of the season. The Bulldogs have already clinched first place in next week’s 7-3A tournament at Amite County.

“We’ve got a big one remaining before next week’s tournament,” said Jordan, who has never gone undefeated in division play during his 15-year tenure at Franklin County. “We haven’t won much up there (Fayette). They have a good team, so its going to be tough.”

Loyd Star begins division tournament play next week at Enterprise. The Hornets are having one of its best seasons in school history.

Franklin County girls 68, Loyd Star 47

Franklin County guard Monique Starks fired in four three-pointers to lead the Lady Bulldogs (12-11) to its sixth win in a row. Coached by Charles Moore, Franklin County led 34-21 at intermission before pulling away in the second half. Leondra Shaw scored 16 points to lead the Lady Bulldogs.

Loyd Star, coached by Billy Vaughn got a game high 17 points from Sones Haley. Leah Britt scored 10 points, while Shannon Chester added 8 points.

The Lady Bulldogs entered the fourth quarter leading 47-31. Franklin County forward Cee Cee Miller, who had 10 points and eight boards, fired in six points in the third quarter during a 12-2 run in the last 2:38.