Franklin Senior High celebrates state basketball championship

The experience the Franklin Hornets got in reaching the boys’ basketball Marsh Madness state tournament in two of the previous three seasons, including a trip to the finals in 2023, paid off this season when the Hornets won their first boys’ basketball state championship in 66 years by beating No. 1 seed Lakeview 50-45 in the Division IV Non-Select title game on March 8 in Lake Charles.
“I was excited, and I know the seniors were excited that we were able to get another opportunity to right our wrongs,” Franklin Coach Tremayne Johnson said. “That was a great way to send those guys out.”
The Hornets finished the season with a 24-7 record after going 9-2 in District 8-2A. Franklin was the No. 6 seed in the Division IV bracket, while Lakeview finished the year 27-7.
“I was pleased that some of the younger guys stepped up when my two main guys didn’t have the type of night they usually have,” Johnson said. “I was excited that my juniors stepped up and competed at a high level.”
Twin guards Jeremiah Gray and Jorion Gray, forward Treyshaun Mack and guard Jylon Jackson helped push the Hornets over the top after shots that normally went in wouldn’t fall for seniors shooting guard J’kylon Caesar and point guard Jay’Shaun Johnson, who played a huge role in the team’s success over the course of the season.
Mack was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player after leading the team with 12 points. Caesar and Jay’Shaun Johnson scored eight points each. Franklin forced 22 turnovers in stifling the Gators.
Getting to Marsh Madness three years ago and then getting to the championship game at Burton Coliseum last season. That team came within seconds of winning the school’s first title since 1958 before bowing out to North Central, 59-55.
“I think not just going there last year, but going there my first year as the head coach in 2021,” Johnson said. “When those (seniors) were freshmen, they got the chance to experience it. We lost to a Rayville team. We got the opportunity to go back last year and lost out to North Central. I think those two years prepared those guys for this year.”
Johnson had high praise for the team’s character.
“The kids are just a humble, hungry, consistent, resilient bunch of kids,” he said. “Proud to represent Franklin.”
The senior class featured seven players. In addition to shooting guard J’kylon Caesar and point guard Jay’Shaun Johnson, the class included Dalen Edwards, Tavon Ballet, Schyler Miller, Adric Davis and Corde Landry.
The Hornets will have a good group to build on from this year’s class in looking to win another championship next season.
“That’s going to be huge to have those guys back,” Johnson said. “My juniors played a lot of minutes this year and they played a lot of minutes their sophomore year as well. We’re looking to have another run at this next year.”