Second-half surge carries Franklin by Meadowdale boys

Published 9:52 pm Friday, March 13, 2009

TACOMA — For two quarters, the Meadowdale Mavericks hung with the nation’s 14th-ranked team.

Then, as they have done so many times this year, the Franklin Quakers swiftly dropped the hammer.

Ranked No. 14 in the latest USA TODAY Super 25 poll, tournament-favorite Franklin bounced back from a shaky first half and throttled Meadowdale High School Friday during the Class 3A state basketball championships. Franklin began the third quarter with a 20-4 scoring run and won the semifinal clash 58-37 at the Tacoma Dome.