The Panthers had one final light moment before tip-off against the Bombardiers. Huddling in front of their bench, they shouted their mantra for this season three times over: “Hakuna matata.’’
The Swahili phrase, made popular in the movie “The Lion King,’’ is translated in the film to “no worries.’’ It’s the perfect credo for this year’s Franklin High squad.
Propelled by their easygoing attitudes, they have maintained confidence and jumped out to a sterling 15-0 start.
“Sports have to be fun,’’ said coach John Leighton. “There’s enough stress with real life stuff, so I let them goof on each other a little bit.’’
Against Attleboro, their carefree attitudes helped them survive a shaky first quarter. Franklin escaped the first eight minutes with just a three-point lead over the Bombardiers (2-9). Playing for a chance to clinch the Hockomock League Kelley-Rex title, the Panthers were stumbling.
No problem. With cool heads and crisp shooting strokes, they put together a 13-4 run in the second quarter that padded their lead en route to a 46-29 victory and their first league championship in four years.
“We’re not really a very serious team, which you might know [watching us] on the court,’’ said junior Alicia Kutil, who finished with 13 points and 8 rebounds. “But we have fun . . . I feel like that’s the key to basketball. If you’re not having fun while you’re playing and you’re not enjoying it, you’re not going to play well.’’
The win over Attleboro was the latest in a season that has resulted in nothing but happy finishes. And every player has chipped in with more than just a ready smile.
The Panthers have received the bulk of their scoring from Phelan (14.0 points per game) and senior cocaptain Alicia Wilde (14.0), but Leighton often goes deep into his bench, using depth to out-pace opponents like Notre Dame and Oliver Ames - both of which were undefeated before playing Franklin. Many games, all 12 players see minutes.
