See how Franklin continued its winning ways on Tuesday at Hanks

Felix F. Chavez, El Paso Times

The 2022-23 version of the Franklin girls basketball team was outstanding with 26 wins, a 16-0 mark in District 1-6A and a bi-district championship.

Bur the team lost its coach Jonathan Watters, who resigned after the season, and some key pieces such as Fatime Seck, Leah Perea, Amaris Valadez and Monique Contreras.

But new coach David Chavez, who was an assistant under Watters, took over the program, and top notch players such as Caitlynn Clark, Emma Balsiger and Lorianne Bueno returned.

On Tuesday night, the Cougars (2-0) took a step forward in their 2023-24 season with a come from behind, 79-74, win at a Hanks team which will be one of the favorites to win the District 2-5A title.

Franklin's Caitlynn Clark (10) looks to shoot the ball at a girl's basketball game against Hanks on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at Hanks High School.
Franklin's Caitlynn Clark (10) looks to shoot the ball at a girl's basketball game against Hanks on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at Hanks High School.

The key returnees all had big games, Clark had 33 points and Balsiger and Bueno had 15 each. Clark was spectacular in the fourth quarter with 15 points and hounded the Hanks guards defensively up and down the court.

"Caitlynn has grown so much as a player and last year she really began to play really great defense," said Chavez, a 2011 Parkland alum. "We're still growing as a team, I'm still learning as a coach. I told the girls, I'll make mistakes, they'll make mistakes, but we'll continue to grow together. Our effort has been wonderful and the win against Hanks shows how determined we are."

The Cougars also got key minutes Tuesday from Armane Davis, Camryn De Avila, Danielle Escobedo and Maryfrer Carrera.

Clark and Bueno both praised Chavez after Tuesday's win.

Franklin's Lorianne Bueno (1) dribbles the ball at a girl's basketball game against Hanks on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at Hanks High School.
Franklin's Lorianne Bueno (1) dribbles the ball at a girl's basketball game against Hanks on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, at Hanks High School.

"Coach has given me confidence in myself," said Clark, who recently reached the 1,000-point mark in her career and who will sign with UT-Permian Basin in the early signing period, which begins Wednesday. "It was a great win for us. We fought hard, the team is working hard to get better."

Added Bueno: "Coach Chavez has had a positive influence on our program, he's working hard every day. This year, I'm playing a bigger role and I have to step up and be strong every day."

Tuesday's key performances

  • Natalia Thomas, El Paso High. Thomas scored 15 points for the Tigers in win vs. Loretto Academy.

  • Mia Robles, Montwood. Robles scored 15 points for the Rams in win vs. Del Valle.

  • Abigail Ortega, Eastwood. Ortega led all scorers with 12 points in win vs. Canutillo.

  • Kaylan Medrano, Americas. Medrano scored 19 points in leading Americas past Chapin.

  • Mia Ledesma, Mountain View. Ledesma scored 17 points in win vs. Eastlake.

  • Jordan Sapien, Pebble Hills. Sapien scored 25 points in win against Burges.

  • Jordyn Hernandez, Burges. Hernandez had 29 points and 12 rebounds against Pebble Hills.

  • Hazel Veloz, Riverside. Veloz scored 26 points in win against Ysleta.

More: Girls Hoops players 30 players, teams to watch in El Paso as high school girls basketball season begins

Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X (Formerly Twitter)

This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Senior guard Caitlynn Clark scores 33 points in road win for Franklin

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