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Girls basketball: Ogden fights to split with Ben Lomond on Phil Russell memorial night

By Bob Judson - Special to the Standard-Examiner | Feb 7, 2023

OGDEN — Ogden High and Ben Lomond girls basketball teams squared off in the third annual Phil Russell Memorial Basketball game on Tuesday night, honoring the late, longtime Tiger coach.

In a touching moment, Ben Lomond was allowed to win the opening tip and scored a layup, setting the stage for Ogden to come down the court and feed the ball to special-needs player Annie Davis.

Davis, wearing Russell’s favorite No. 25, did her part, making the first shot she took to tie the game at 2-2.

The Tigers as a team then did their part, incorporating what the PA announcer said was Russell’s favorite quote: “Holy hell, let’s get on with it; shoot the damn ball” — in particular, senior forward Zoey Franklin.

Franklin scored 18 points in the game, 12 in the second half — was clutch with eight of those points in the fourth quarter after the Scots had erased a big deficit — and Ogden captured a 53-46 victory, splitting the Region 13 season series with Ben Lomond.

“I’m a senior, so it’s going to be my last home game. So I really wanted to end on a win; and it’s a rivalry game, so those are always fun, so I wanted to step up and get us that lead,” Franklin said. “We needed a little bit of leadership and needed someone to take charge and get that momentum going again.”

Ben Lomond (10-10, 1-8 Region 13) clawed all the way back from a 40-32 hole with 5:02 left in the fourth quarter to tie the game 42-42 on a layup inside by Dory Jensen at the 3:07 mark.

A rebound basket by Ogden’s Brynn Smith and two free throws by BL’s Jazlynn Tinajero left things knotted at 44.

The Scots then actually led 46-44 on a bucket by Tinajero, but Franklin pulled the Tigers (11-10, 4-5) back to even moments later on a basket in the paint.

Ellie Oliverson gave the Tigers the lead for good with a 3-pointer with 1:33 to go and Franklin followed with a key bucket with 55.2 ticks remaining — and Ogden held off the Scots from there.

Franklin did all of her damage coming off the bench on a unique set of shots somewhere between a sky hook and a jumper, but it was so very effective for the Tigers.

“It was special; we had player No. 25 (Davis) start for us and we subbed in; I feel like coming off the bench helps give me a little bit more momentum when the team is already going so, I can get in my groove,” Franklin said. “I think I bring a little fire to the team when they need it.”

Ashley Christensen also had double digits for the Tigers, scoring 16 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.

For Ben Lomond, Jensen led the way with 11 points. Jazlynn Tinajero and Kyara Tinajero added eight points each.

Ogden has won all three Phil Russell Memorial games since its inception.

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