Franklin sets Cedar Creek career scoring record; Koplin reaches 1,000 points

Kenji Franklin swoops in for the dunk against Bastrop in a game in which he set a career scoring record

By Jim Irish

Photos by Dustyn Werner

The boys basketball matchup and crosstown rivalry between Cedar Creek and Bastrop never materialized.

The Eagles romped 61-40 at their gym on Tuesday for their fifth consecutive District 24-5A win. At times, it looked like a practice with a lack of intensity.

The only excitement: the game was stopped twice for scoring records by Cedar Creek’s Kenji Franklin and Phineas Koplin.

"I just wanted my seniors to have fun (in) their last home game."

-- Cedar Creek coach Chris Young

A minute into the game, Franklin, the 6-foot-6 senior, broke the career scoring record by Robert Conrad of 2,062 points set last season. Franklin currently has 2,079 points, with 17 against Bastrop. He earned a double-double with 10 rebounds. In a display of unselfishness, he gave up open shots to pass to teammates.

Had Franklin not missed 16 games in his freshman and sophomore seasons because of injuries, he would have scored a couple of hundred more points.

Phineas Koplin (left) celebrates after reaching 1,000 points for his career. He scored 24 against Bastrop

Koplin, a 6-2 senior, scored 24 points — including five 3-pointers — and surpassed 1,000 points (1,001).

The Eagles (20-14 overall, 9-3 in district) also achieved their second consecutive 20-win season.

"I just wanted my seniors to have fun (in) their last home game,” Cedar Creek head coach Chris Young said. "Go out there and compete stress free. This game ultimately didn’t mean anything for our standings.”

In district, Cedar Creek and LASAA tied for second.

Blinn College head coach Scott Schumacher was in attendance, recruiting Franklin. Blinn is in Brenham and only an hour from Bastrop.

Franklin said Schumacher has watched him in three games this season.

Blinn coach in attendance to recruit Franklin

"Everything he’s telling me I like,” Franklin said about Schumacher’s pitch.

The basket might have appeared with a plate over it for Bastrop (9-23, 1-11) because shots wouldn’t fall early. The Bears trailed 19-0 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Franklin elicited cheers from the crowd with a driving left-handed dunk. An earlier attempt at a dunk careened off the rim.

Braydon Adams (3) is closely guarded at basket

Bastrop connected in the second but still trailed 34-11 at halftime.

Bastrop’s Keyshon Moore, an Air Force Academy signee, hit three three-pointers and scored all 12 points in the fourth quarter.

Cedar Creek’s Jacob Bunker, the younger brother of former career scoring leader Kaleb Bunker, knocked down two three-pointers and finished with 10 points, all in the fourth.

Franklin to face Weiss' Bryant in battle of 6-foot-6 athletes at Manor on Tuesday

The Eagles will confront District 23-5A’s Weiss (16-18) in the bi-district round at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Manor Senior High School.

Weiss’ Mekhai Bryant, a 6-6 senior, will battle Franklin for supremacy near the basket.

Young said Bryant missed several games in December because of an injury but is currently healthy.

Jim Irish is a freelance writer in Bastrop, Texas