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5 Keys: "New" Marion-Franklin takes care of Centennial late in season opener

By Zach Fleer, 11/23/22, 9:45PM EST

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Marion-Franklin got a balanced team effort in a road win at Centennial on Wednesday

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Look good, feel good, play good. Sporting new red road jerseys, Marion-Franklin exemplified this philosophy on the road in a season opening win over Centennial. The Red Devils got balanced team production, led by 15 points from junior star Tito Glass, to defeat the Stars on the road, 53-43.

Centennial had a chance in the fourth to change the game, but struggled at the free throw line and could not capitalize on a few major opportunities.

Senior Henri Young was electric for Centennial in the loss, nailing five threes and finishing with a game-high 18 points. 

Marion-Franklin will look to improve to 2-0 on the road at Columbus Academy on Saturday. Centennial will get a tough road challenge a week from tonight on the road at South. 

Let's take a look at five keys to the game.

1. New swagger: After only having one basketball team last year due to lack of participation, Marion-Franklin is fully stocked with players in the program this season. That depth and excitement proved to make a major difference on Wednesday. 

2. Tito Glass is a grown man. While only a junior, you will be hard pressed to find many players in the City League who can match Glass physically. The 6-foot-2 wrecking ball was a force around the rim and provided Marion-Franklin with big buckets when they needed them. 

3. Free throws. Centennial trailed 45-41 with two minutes to go and had six chances in a row at the free throw line to cut into the lead. Unfortunately for the Stars, they missed all six and gave up a deflating three on the next Marion-Franklin possession. Game. Over.

4. Hustle plays. Marion-Franklin had great tenacity on the defensive end and it paid dividends late. The Red Devils swarmed to the ball with its full court pressure and forced a handful of Centennial turnovers in the final frame to pull away for the win.  

5. A different bench. The Red Devils have a new core of assistant coaches who all come from the City League and have been successful players in the City. One notable coach on staff this year is Eastmoor Academy legend Lamont Barnes. Barnes is looking to help Marion-Franklin get back to its winning ways and his impact on this team has been evident early on. 

MVP: Tito Glass (Marion-Franklin junior guard)

Top Scorer: Henri Young (Centennial senior wing)

Hustle Player of the Game: Dez'Waun Dickerson (Marion-Franklin senior forward)

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