In a tight matchup of two of the best Class 2 teams in the state on Saturday, the No. 1 Salisbury Panthers emerged the winner, 59-48, over No. 7 ranked New Franklin for the championship of the 39th Annual Sturgeon Basketball Tournament.

It’s the second time the two top-10 teams have played this season, with Salisbury winning both. The first of which was a two-point decision on Nov. 21.

“This was a good game for us to play this time of year,” said New Franklin coach Jim Schlotzhauer. “The environment was electric and truly felt like a postseason game. The experience of playing in this championship game can only help us progress.”

The two teams were neck and neck over the first three quarters. New Franklin led 16-13 after one period. But Salisbury pulled ahead 29-27 at halftime after outscoring the Bulldogs 16-11 in the second quarter.

The third quarter proved pivotal, as the Panthers went up by three more to enter the fourth quarter up 45-40. 

“For two and a half quarters, we traded blows with the No. 1 team in the state,” Schlotzhauer said. “Our offense disappeared late against their zone, though. You have to continually chip away against Salisbury because they never give you anything easy. We had a number of times where we went five or more possessions without scoring. You simply can’t do that when they have Cooper Francis on the other side. He is too consistent on the offensive end to go dry like that on our end.”

Salisbury outscored the Bulldogs 14-8 in the final period to take home the tournament title.

The Panthers were led by Cooper Francis, one of the premier players in all of Missouri Class 2 basketball. The senior led all scorers with 30 points. Hayden Wooldridge added 11 points.

New Franklin had only one scorer in double figures. Senior Drake Clark posted a team-high 19 points, followed by Connor Wilmsmeyer with nine and Ryan Hundley with seven.

“I think we showed a lot of positives in this game, but to beat them, we will have to play a full 32 minutes of solid basketball,” Schlotzhauer said. “We did it last year, so I know we can. We just need another chance at them.”

The Bulldogs may get their wish. It is highly conceivable the two will meet again in the Class 2 District 7 Tournament hosted by Glasgow in February. The two met in the district semifinals a year ago, with Salisbury winning during an inspired postseason that concluded with the Class 2 state title.

New Franklin enters the final stretch of the regular season at 16-3 overall with back-to-back home games. On Tuesday, they hosted Class 4 Boonville after the Advertiser went to press. On Friday, the Bulldogs host Cairo for a Homecoming matchup. The Bulldogs will face Schuyler County (14-2) on Saturday at Harrisburg for the Mid-Missouri Invitational. 

New Franklin returns home on Feb. 6 for Senior Night against Slater and concludes the regular season at Glasgow on Feb. 15.